Bohemia Village Voice

Essex County Cricket Board

Sussex County Cricket returns to Hastings on Spring Bank Holiday Monday 26th May for the first time after many years absence. The forthcoming match on Spring Bank Holiday will be against Essex County Cricket Club for the Friends Provident Trophy.
Kevin Miller, general manager at Horntye Park, where the match will take place, said, “We’re delighted to have county cricket back in Hastings after so many years. We’re happy for the people of Hastings and we’re happy for us. If the weather’s fine it should be an excellent day’s sport.” He continued, “We have spoken to them over the years and said, ‘Come back!’ They currently have problems with developers at their ground in Hove, and the question was how long could they continue playing cricket when the developers were there. So they came down to Horntye and had a look and decided to go ahead and come here.” He added, “I don’t suppose we’ll get a lot of matches out of it, but if they made it an annual fixture we’d be delighted!”
The County team left Hastings as their home ground in 1989, when the cricket field at Priory Meadow in the town centre was built over with shops.
Since 1989 they have come back on two occasions, once in 2000 when they played Zimbabwe and once in 2004 playing a Benson and Hedges match against Kent. Both matches were played at Horntye.
It is planned to be a real family occasion. As well as being able to watch the County Champions, there will be fun activities for children.  Children under sixteen will be able to get in for £1 each (“kids for a quid”) and have professional coaching from the ECB Cricket Factory Road Show on the all-weather pitch. There will also be various multi-sport activities, a bouncy castle, competitions, and a chance to meet the SCCC mascot Sid the Shark. “There will be something for all ages,” said Kevin, “so Mum and Dad can park little Jimmy while they go and watch the match.”
Corporate hospitality is available inside and out. Horntye are looking for local sponsors for the day, so if you are interested in either of these ring Kevin Miller on 716666. 

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