SIR - In these shivering weeks I for one am looking forward to summer. Cricket will be centre stage this year, with the Ashes and the World Cup coming to England and some mouth-watering encounters are in prospect.

Closer to home, Skipton Cricket Club has been at the forefront of local cricket for over 150 years. Currently it supports a large range of junior and senior teams covering all ages, with over 220 members. I have witnessed first hand the capacity of the cricket club to be a force for good, influencing young and old positively and instilling the best of values. Local volunteers and sponsors have helped to support all of this, showing true heroism at times.

I would like to appeal to any of your readers who might like to become involved with supporting the club and its positive work. A few hours here and there helping at the ground can make a big difference. Whether its coaching, tea making, bar-fronting, line painting or grass cutting there are lots of jobs involved in hosting cricket matches. Lots of great friendships have been formed through the camaraderie of the club and it is truly a grand feeling watching the cricket take place on a sunny day with the hills in the background. Please join us , I can by contacted by email: malcolmbirks@gmail.com.

Malcolm Birks

Skipton Cricket Club Committee member and junior coach