Fun day tribute

Sep 11 2007 By Nick Mccarthy, Birmingham Mail

CASTLE Bromwich Cricket Club has raised more than £500 during a family fun day in honour of its late president, Haydn Conley.

A memorial cricket match was held between former players and the current generation of cricketers at the club, with Haydn's name spelt out alongside the pitch.

The match was only part of the fun day that also included an all-day tennis tournament, bouncy castle, swimming pool, beat the goalie competition and barbecue.

It also formed part of the cricket club's plan to increase involvement with the junior community, by encouraging more sport at Arden Hall Playing Fields.

Haydn was a founder member of Castle Bromwich Cricket Club in 1953 and later became president of his beloved club, before he died in December last year from cancer.

All of the money raised from the event will be donated to Erdington's John Taylor Hospice where Haydn spent his final days.

The club is also in the process of erecting a memorial scoreboard in honour of its late president.

The sports and social club is offering full coaching facilities, especially cricket and tennis, for as many junior members as possible.

It is being helped by the Sita Trust and is looking for future sponsorship to help it install some all-weather cricket and tennis facilities.

A full community meeting about sport will be held at Arden Hall on October 17 at 7.30pm.

The parish council has shown support for community sport by supplying the hall free of charge.

Full details of the ground development plans are available on the cricket club website at www.castlebromwichsportsclub.org.uk.