Young people from a Llandudno special school have enjoyed a day of cricket, lovely cricket at the town’s famous Oval.
The ground which has played host to touring teams from the West Indies and New Zealand as well as to Glamorgan welcomed 60 pupils from the town’s Ysgol Y Gogarth special school for their own Cricket Festival.
They enjoyed over four hours of cricketing activities under the skilled eyes of volunteers from Llandudno Cricket Club’s men’s and women’s teams as well as from Cricket Wales with barbecue catering provided by club sponsors Harlech Foodservice.
Harlech Development Chef Stephen Griffiths was at the griddle to serve up a tasty selection of sausages and burgers for the 50 staff and volunteers taking part in the event.
Harlech also sent their own team of volunteers led by Llandudno Ladies batter Brittany Loughborough and members of the title-chasing Llandudno Ladies team which is sponsored by the leading food distribution company and their partner, healthy drinks supplier iPro Hydrate.
Brittany, one of Harlech’s team of Territory Account Managers, said: “It’s a brilliant event organised by Cricket Wales and shows how inclusive the game is here with children of all kinds of abilities taking part and enjoying the game.
“There is even table-top cricket for those in wheelchairs though they have been getting involved out on The Oval as well
“Llandudno Cricket Club have really helped expand the game in the town and now run three men’s and two ladies teams as well as eight junior sides and we have just provided the ladies with new kit.”
The cricket club have long established links with Ysgol Y Gogarth and members have gone into the school to deliver sessions on the game.
Cricket Club Manager Sam Rimmington said: “We just thought why don’t we do a festival for the school that everyone can take part in because we want to involve as many people as possible in the game.
“We have organised it with Joe Lambe, of Cricket Wales, who is a life member of the club and the Lord’s Taverners are also involved and have helped fund the event.”
Even a blustery wind couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the young people and the school’s Sports Co-ordinator, Aaron Jones, said: “It is hugely important to see our students engaging in activity out in the community.
“There’s been an amazing turnout, about a quarter of the school are here and they get so much out of this.
“It’s a big part of the school’s ethos to get our pupils out there and engaging in activities, it’s a reals bonus for them and you can see how happy they all are, not just with the cricket but being here in a new environment and sharing it with their friends.
“We want to encourage them to take part in in physical activity and hopefully see them involved in sport for the rest of their lives and cricket is a game which can help them do that.”
Sue Wells, Cricket Wales Area Manager, said: “It’s brilliant for the pupils to be able to come here from the school and we hope to be involved in future community projects with our partners from the day.
“The game is growing in North Wales across a number of areas with some excellent community programmes.”
