Work has just started at The County Ground on building the new turnstiles which will be in place for the start of the 2002 season. Over the course of the next few days both the brick walls either side of the Jack White Gates in St James Street will be demolished, and the gates will be taken down.

New walls, which will comprise of brick topped with a metal rail, will be built and will include the new turnstiles. After the work is completed the Jack White Gates will be re-hung.

Whilst the work in St James Street is being undertaken the entrance is out of use, and traffic is being re-directed through the museum gate, which is approximately fifty metres further along the street.

Over the next few weeks work will also begin on building the new Sir Vivian Richards Gates at the Priory Bridge entrance to the ground. All the work is due to be completed by April 26th in time for the first home match at The County Ground which is against Glamorgan in the Benson and Hedges Cup on April 30th.

The Sir Vivian Richards Gates will be dedicated, and the Jack White gates will be re-dedicated on Sunday May 12th, which will be a very important day for the club.

Not only do Somerset Sabres entertain Yorkshire Phoenix, but in the morning the club hold their annual church service at St James, when former Sussex player John Barclay will be the preacher, and during the afternoon the club will present the twelve Golden Jubilee Cricket Awards.

© SOMERSET