Giles turns his hand to DIY

28 March 2007

The King of Spain swaps his ermine for overalls this weekend as Sileby Town CC in Leicestershire gears up for a frenzy of DIY activity as part of NatWest CricketForce 2007.

England spinner Ashley Giles, who was famously given his nomenclature following a spelling error by merchandisers, will be giving the club a helping hand as they prepare for the 2007 season with an exhaustive jobs list that includes re-painting the sightscreens and re-aggregating the car park.

Ashley Giles is lending his support to Sileby Town CC

Around 1,800 metres of timber and 80 gate posts will be arriving shortly before the estimated 100 volunteers who have pledged their support, so that the boundary perimeter fencing around the ground plus picket fencing around the patio and pavilion can all be replaced thanks to timber donated by Wolseley UK.

Volunteers can expect copious amounts of free food and drink over the two-day campaign. Dickinson and Morris are supplying 15 large Melton Mowbray pork pies while the Sileby Town branch of Costcutters has committed a mound of burgers, sausages and rolls and the village’s Jasmin’s Indian takeaway has donated £100 worth of food on Saturday night.

Since last year when around 30 volunteers participated in NatWest CricketForce, interest in the club has snowballed, culminating in the high-profile 2007 Cricket Roadshow campaign in which Giles will be joined by England and Leicestershire bowler Stuart Broad, skipper Jeremy Snape and coach Tim Boon to give the local media a field day from around 11am on Sunday April 1.

Jane Smit and Jenny Gunn have pledged to help out

The England women’s team will also be represented by wicket-keeper Jane Smit and pace bowlers Jenny Gunn and Nicki Shaw, while MP for Loughborough Andy Reed will lend his support.

In all, the club has attracted more than £5,000 worth of materials in donations, which will enable members and helpers to spruce up the facilities ahead of the 2007 season.

“There are a lot of people who have worked incredibly hard to get this weekend organised but the net gain is enormous in terms of the boost to club and community spirit,” said chairman Nigel Kinch.

“It offers us the chance to complete jobs that should have been finished ages ago and at the same time raise the profile of the club so we can attract people here, not just to play cricket but to boost profits by having a drink at the bar. Our sponsors have been very generous – we are going to be very fat by the end of the weekend.”

Work gets under way at 9am on Saturday March 31 and continues until the last post is fixed on Sunday.

For more information visit the Sileby Town CC website.