MELKSHAM Cricket Club is celebrating a number of awards for its volunteers.
At the recent Wiltshire Cricket Board Grassroots Awards 2021, both Tim Carpenter – committee member, club groundsman, fixtures secretary – and Deborah Burns – committee member, youth officer and welfare officer – won recognition in the Unsung Hero award. The club’s youth section also received an award for their participation in the AllStars and Dynamos initiative.
And one of the club’s youth players, Finn Evans has also been nominated in the upcoming Melksham Young People’s awards.
For his unsung hero recognition award, Tim was nominated by Chris Skilton who said, “Melksham Cricket Club has great facilities it needs to run its two adult teams. I have only been playing for Melksham since the start of the season, having just moved to the area but it is clear that without Tim the club would be a very different place.
“Tim is the heart of the club. He spends hours keeping the wickets in great condition and if he’s not out and about tending in the ground, he can be found at the pavilion, talking to any- one that will listen about the club and its history.
“He is immensely proud of the club he has committed so much time to and is always talking fondly about the up-and-coming youth section, the soon to be installed nets and future successes of the club, none of which would be happening without him. When it comes to Melksham Cricket Club nothing is ever too much for Tim; he just gets the job done for the simple love of the game and his local side.”
Deborah, who won the Unsung Hero award cate- gory, was nominated by Chris Long who said, “Debs does a huge amount for the club from the hires, being a committee member, funding, volunteering for Boundary Babies & Toddlers, and the youth section. When the fire at the pavilion happened, the youth section unfortunately dwindled whilst the club got back on its feet.
“I’ve volunteered down at the youth and it’s amazing to see the work she has done and the growth of not only this section but how she’s helped grow the club for future generations. We
have a new double lane practice net on order and it is down to Deb’s perseverance.
“Congratulations to Tim & Debbie on their well-deserved awards.”
About their Youth Award for the club’s participation in Allstars and Dynamos, the club said, “Congratulations to the youth team for this well-deserved award. Additional thanks to our coaches Josh and Joey and all our bar/coach and kit volunteers – Michelle, Chris Skilton, Chris L, Chris S, Joe V, Tim, Dan, Gary I, Finley E, Gary B and Pippa.”
About Finn Evans’ nomination in the Melksham Young People’s awards, the club said, “We are so proud of Finn and the fantastic work he does for the club. He’s always at every ses- sion helping out and the youth think it’s great to have someone to look up to.
“Finn has had a challenging year breaking his arm but still continued to help out with the section despite the cast. Finn currently has his leg in a cast but that didn’t stop him attending club functions and continuing his love of the sport. The recognition is well deserved.”
Picture: Melksham Cricket Club Deborah Burns and Tim Carpenter with their awards.
Picture: Finn Evans from Melksham Cricket Club’s youth section.
