Norden Cricket Club gets ready for the new season

Norden’s Woodhouse Lane ground will be a hive of activity on the 5 and 6 April when the Central Lancashire League club stages a NatWest Cricket Force weekend.

The main aim of the weekend will be to do the countless jobs which are needed on the ground before the start of the season, but it is hoped to also make it a weekend of fun for those involved, and it will also be used as an open weekend when people from Norden and other parts can go along to see what it is all about and, if they wish, learn a bit about Norden Cricket Club past, present, and future.

There will be promotional stands from Rochdale AFC, Rochdale Hornets and Shocka Sports, guest appearances from star players, and what is likely to be a first ever one-off appearance from Norden’s mascot Stanley the Stag.

The event will start at 10.00am on the Saturday with a short introductory speech and the introduction of Norden’s new professional Daniel Salpietro.

Saturday will also see the arrival of Hornets’ players Sam Te’o and Ryan Millard, with an opportunity for youngsters to bag their autographs, while it is hoped to have Dale’s Jamie Allen attend on the Sunday.

Lancashire’s rising star Gavin Griffiths, a member of the England under 19s team, will represent the county club, along with Lancashire County Cricket Club mascot Lanky the Giraffe.

One of Lanky’s tasks could be to take on Stanley the Stag and other mascots, hopefully including Dale’s Desmond the Dragon, in some sort of a race based on the Mascots’ Grand National.

Stanley is now in full training – just in case.

Those who want to take a break from work on Saturday afternoon will be able to watch football or the National on big screen in the clubhouse, then the night will be turned over to entertainment from Face It.

Sunday’s actual work-time will end at noon, and be followed by a T20 match between Norden and Middleton, start 12.45pm.

A club spokesman said: “Don’t arrive dolled up if you plan to help with the needed work, as it might involve shifting benches, painting, whitewashing or collecting litter, but do please make an effort to turn out and help prepare for what is hoped will be a good season for the club.

“To existing members and others the message is the same - Come on Down.”

Refreshments will be available in the clubhouse throughout the weekend.