A long summer of cricket takes its toll on the Coton wicket. So every year at about this time we mow and scarify the square, repair the popping creases and spread specialist Ongar loam to resurface all 5 strips. We then replant with PM36 grass seed in readiness for Chris to roll in Feb/March. And every year Tom spends a little extra time smoothing out the notorious Coton bump (in about 50 years it will be gone).

This year we're lucky - the mowing and scarifying has already been done by Tom. All that's needed is to spread the soil and seeds and we've invested in a drag mat to make evening out the soil a synch.

Many hands make light work - if you can spare 1 hour between 3pm and 6pm tomorrow (Sat 11 October) to help us that would be great! Bring a shovel if you can and there's a pint at the Plough afterwards.

Tim Pullan
Chair