HAVING had no cricket yet this year, players and members of Settle Cricket Club are attempting to smash a world record.

The club plan to travel around their pitch and beat the distanced covered in a 12 hour period record. This stands at169km, which would be 470 laps of Marshfield.

They will be raising money for Bowel Cancer UK and the club itself, which has been hit hard financially during the pandemic.

Those taking part will be running from 7am to 7pm on July 11, including some individuals in fancy dress who are aiming to run non-stop for the full duration.

Secretary James Eather, who has masterminded the idea, told the Herald that the idea came through a desire by the players to show support for the charity, after Settle lost two stalwarts recently in vice chairman Paul Strickland and former captain Ken Foster.

He also added that the pandemic had affected the club with no cricket and connected activities, stifling income and social activity.

He said: “Until there is no cricket or social events down at the club, people do not realise what an important cog the cricket club is in the culture and well-being of the town.

"It is the heartbeat of the community in the summer months and means a lot to so many people”.

The club will operate an outside ice bar system and tables will be laid out according to government guidelines welcoming locals to support the event.

At time of writing, the total raised on their go fund me page is £1,950 with the goal set at £3,000.

Eather added: "I would like to thank the people who have donated so far, meaning we are over halfway towards our target. Any support, no matter how small is greatly appreciated."

On the playing front, recreational cricket is set to resume this weekend after Prime Minister Boris Johnson appeared to back-track on his earlier claim that issues surrounding communal teas and dressing rooms made the sport unsafe.

Settle are still waiting on the Ribblesdale League to finalise their plans on a return which will align with the ECB.

Chairman, Andrew Davidson thinks that the club is ready to return to some sort of action, even though they will be lacking their overseas professional and young players.

He also discussed the plan for2021 and that they are ready to offer professional Ashen Silva terms to rejoin the club.

He said:“I have been involved with signing professionals at the club since 1979 and he is the best club professional holistically, we have had.

"He is excellent in every facet of his role and it is a joy to have him in the club.

"We will have to look at all aspects of finance once this pandemic has gone but we will also try and grow our link with Barbados.

"We will also look to fast track some of our youth team next season to see if they are good enough to compete on the bigger stage."