Membership numbers at Somerset County Cricket Club Club are showing a very considerable increase for 2002 over where they were at the same stage last year.

Overall the number of members who have signed up to join the Cidermen is currently standing at 3159, compared to 2770 last year.

With less than three weeks of the discounted membership prices still to go the club office will be opening for the next two Saturday mornings, to enable personal callers to join for 2002.

Yesterday the office was staffed by membership secretary Joanne Betsworth and Ian Blackwell who were kept very busy dealing with the large number of callers.

One of the categories where there has been a very marked increase in membership is the Junior Sabres, which this year is currently 120 members up on 2001, which is a very healthy situation.

Jo Betsworth told me, "We are all absolutely delighted with the response that there has been to our membership campaign so far this year, particularly regarding the Junior Sabres."

This year the "Junior Sabres Pre Season Bash" will be held between 11.00am and 1.30.pm on Saturday March 30th in the Centre of Excellence at the County Ground.

The morning activities will include kwik cricket games, bowling at first eleven players, free goody bags, a bouncy castle,face painting and many competitions.

The "Junior Sabres Bash" is open to all official junior members, and those who want to go along and join in with what is certain to be a great morning of fun and entertainment should contact Jo Betsworth at the County Ground, telephone number 01823 272946.

© SOMERSET