SPARSHOLT ANNOUNCE NEW SPONSORSHIP DEAL WITH BLOOR HOMES

Sparsholt have announced that local developer Bloor Homes have promised a valuable donation each year to help the club maintain their grounds, and purchase new kit and equipment. Family-owned Bloor Homes, who are renowned for their ongoing commitment to giving back to the communities in which they work, plan to launch Picket Twenty, their latest development of new homes, close to the heart of Andover in early 2012.
Andrea Smale of Bloor Homes Southern explains why the developer selected Sparsholt Cricket Club to benefit on this occasion. “We take a keen interest in the lives of our people outside of work, and it hadn’t escaped our attention that our very own Contracts Manager, Richard Edwards, has a special relationship with Sparsholt CC,” said Andrea.
She added, “When we heard that the club was looking for new sponsorship, we thought this would be a great opportunity to do something great for one of our team, and the wider community of Hampshire, where we will soon be introducing our latest collection of stylish family homes.”
Sparsholt vice-chairman Richard Edwards played his first game with the club at the age of 10 years. The ground is named after his father, Norman Edwards, who was a player until the age of 69, a groundsman for more than 35 years and Treasurer for 49 years.
“In all those years, the only committee meeting my father missed was the one that fell on the night I was born,” said Richard. His mother also keenly supported the club, providing the teas for well over 30 years. Richard added, “My three boys have also been involved with the club from an early age, and the eldest, Tony, is currently Club Secretary.”   
Richard explains how the donation from Bloor Homes will be spent. “We intend to put the first donation from Bloor Homes towards new covers for the square to keep the pitch dry and towards general ground development,” said Richard. “Future investment will go towards enhancing the senior side and the thriving colt section.  Currently, we have over 100 colts in our U11s – U15s, and we’re looking to attract new players young and old, as well as supporters, members and volunteers from the local community.”
Sparsholt have reached the Hampshire final of the National Village Cricket Championship – they host Hambledon at Locks Lane on Sunday (2pm) – and are captained by Tim Vokes.