BRIDPORT Cricket Club are urging the community to come down and help them beat Mother Nature as the excitement of the new season takes over.

Next month will see the 13th annual NatWest CricketForce take place with Bridport one of a record-breaking 2,014 clubs registered to participate.

From Friday, April 4 to Sunday, April 6, thousands will come together to clean, tidy, repair and revitalise clubhouses and grounds in time for the new season.

Bridport will be among that number, only slightly later on Sunday, April 20, as they call on support to get their home ground back into shape for the start of the season.

And club secretary Paul Edwards, who stepped down from his additional role of chairman last year, insists that with help from NatWest CricketForce, Bridport can enjoy a prosperous season both on and off the pitch.

“We’ve recently had success in having another club joining our junior division,” he said.

“Powerstock, which is about three miles away, have had all their juniors join us, so Bridport will have 40-60 young people around the club this year which is wonderful.

“It’s lifted everybody’s hearts.

“I do hope we’ll get a bigger turnout for the NatWest CricketForce now that we have the extra juniors and, because of their age, they should have some young, able-bodied parents to help.”

He went on to add: “NatWest CricketForce is an opportunity to get everyone to gel and think about something other than playing cricket.”

The scheme is supported by former England captain and current ECB managing director of cricket partnerships Mike Gatting.

And Gatting, who played 79 Tests and 92 ODIs for England, believes the recent bad weather makes the 2014 edition even more crucial to clubs like Bridport.

“It is wonderful news that a record-breaking number of clubs have already registered to hold a NatWest CricketForce event,” Gatting said.

“In particular, the challenges presented by the nationwide floods at the start of this year means the 2014 effort is more important than ever before. “Cricket clubs across the country represent the lifeblood of the sport, and it is hugely important that we all pull together and look after playing facilities.”

  • NatWest CricketForce is an ECB project helping cricket clubs renovate and improve their facilities before each season with the help of members and wider community. Visit ecb.co.uk/nwcf for details.