Chagford Cricket Club - Youth Update

We're delighted to be sponsoring the youth section of Chagford Cricket Club, and we're into the second year of a five year commitment.

We're always pleased to hear the Club's latest news, so Chris Mount, Cricket Youth Development Officer for Chagford Cricket Club gave us the following update:

"What a 12 months we've had since the end of the last season. On the back of the successful 2011 inaugural season, four people took coaching qualifications during the winter.

We also put our first young player forward for district trials. He was successful, trained with the South Devon Under 9 squad through the winter and has now played two matches for them. All of this whilst under 8 so he is still able to be selected in 2013.

With the introduction of the new coaches we were able to open the club sessions for 2012 to younger players, so children as young as five and six came down on Friday nights to start their cricketing journey.

What a season 2012 has been. With the continued and generous support of Helpful Holidays, Chagford Youth Cricket was able to take a giant step forward from our first year.

In 2011, we had 64 members, managed five training sessions in three age groups, had three coaches and three assistants and played two matches. We coached cricket in two schools and ran an after school club in another.

The Dartmoor Cup was formed (an inter-Primary School Competition) which saw four schools take part.

In 2012, we had 108 members, managed nine training sessions in five age groups, had six coaches and six assistants and had teams ready to play in 24 matches. One of the big introductions this season has been the addition of four managers to the organising party. Their tireless work during a difficult rain-soaked season made a vast difference to the coaches and the professional communications between coaches and children made a logistical minefield seem smooth.

We coached cricket in four schools and ran after school clubs in each. The Dartmoor Cup developed further and, driven forward by Chagford CC, brought Lewdown CC and Hatherleigh CC into the organisation. As a result 10 schools took part with 20 teams battling it out over two days for the Trophy, Shield and Cup. We also attracted an additional sponsor, Bovey Castle, who championed the schools competition.

Sponsorship from Helpful Holidays was also instrumental in setting up the exciting and completely new Under 9 Super Sundays! Up to eight teams from five clubs engaged in friendly coaching-driven matches for the under 9 and under 7 age groups. This proved very successful and we hope to develop this competition next season.

We're very proud to say that we entered our first girls team into a competition at Topsham CC this season, and if the rain hadn’t intervened, we would have hosted a competition at Chagford for six girls teams… Next year, maybe!

Chris Mount (R) with HH's Moray Bowater

Although our Chagford Youth Cricket season has drawn to a close, our season is not complete. Several of our Under 15 squad are playing senior matches against touring teams, and are pushing for 2nd team league places. We're hosting an Under 13 county match in August and our Under 11 team are playing the district Under 9 team in a friendly match on 14th August. Six of our most promising Under 9 players are having additional training throughout August and will enter district trials in early September."


Congratulations to everyone involved on a successful 2012 - it's great to see boys and girls of all ages taking part, having fun and achieving fantastic results.

If you're staying in one of our holiday cottages in Chagford, check the fixtures and pop down, you'll be made very welcome.

Cottages and events for November...

There's a lot going on this November - we've picked out some of the best events across the South West, with a fantastic place to stay for each:

5th Nov: Tin Barrel Rolling, Ottery St Mary features countless Flaming Tar Barrels carried through the streets of Ottery St Mary to the delight of thousands of townsfolk and visitors (pictured right). A gigantic bonfire over 30 feet high and crowned with Guy Fawkes himself, forms an impressive background to the occasion together with a fairground and many other attractions. Place to stay: Cool off at Abbey Cross Barn (G20).

7th to 13th Nov: Dartmouth Drama Festival is a four day event consisting of two complete performances by eight participating Amateur Dramatic Societies (four plays per night). Highlights include Dartmouth Players with "Shop for Charity", and Salcombe Players with an extract from "Birthday Honours". Place to stay: Rehearse your lines at Primrose Cottage (L104) (pictured right).

11th Nov: Shepton Mallett Carnival sees processions of illuminated floats - part of an ancient tradition stretching back as far as the 1600's when many parts of Somerset commemorated the Gunpowder Plot. Grand firework displays and street entertainment adds to the sense of fiesta and fun. The floats can be huge, over 50 feet long and covered in hundreds of light bulbs. Place to stay: Wave your sparklers at Barton Cottage (E18).

15th Nov: Truro City of Lights takes its themes from the city’s rich history, unearthing fascinating stories from its mercantile, social and maritime past to artistically and creatively inspire the procession in which giant ship lanterns will carry the ‘cargo’ of the city’s past through its streets (pictured right). Place to stay: Follow the lights back to Nansavallan Farmhouse (S239).

19th to 21st Nov: Teignmouth Jazz Festival brings artists from the UK, USA, and Europe covering all forms of jazz from Traditional and Standards to Latin and Contemporary. Described as one of the best UK jazz events, it takes place in five main venues – The Carlton Theatre, Oystercatcher Cafe, United Reform Church, Rugby Club and Shaldon's Coast View Holiday Park. Place to stay: Hit the right note at Cherries (B8).

Medals galore...

As you may know, Helpful Holidays is proud sponsor of local star Georgina (Gorgs) Geikie, Britain’s number one ladies pistol shooter, for a four year period right through to the 2012 London Olympics.

We caught up with Georgina to hear tales of her recent achievements at the 2010 Commonwealth Shooting Federation Championships in India. Back at her ‘day’ job behind the bar of the 'Ring o’ Bells' in Chagford, Gorgs proudly showed off her four medals - two individual bronzes, and a silver and a bronze in the team events.

"Our hosts looked after us brilliantly and the facilities were world class" said Gorgs, still glowing from her success. The Indian organisers were equally grateful to Gorgs. Having forgotten to arrange flags for all the participating countries they were saved by Georgina who showed remarkable foresight by producing from her bag a St Georges flag bought from a store in Okehampton and it proudly flew at the opening ceremony in lieu of the ‘official’ version. So Gorgs was literally flying the flag for Chagford, Devon, England and the UK (not necessarily in that order).

"I’m going for gold in 2012" she said without a hint of self-doubt. We're so impressed by her determination and right behind her attempts for that gold medal. You can keep up with Georgina's achievements on her website. Next stop, Commonwealth Games in October… go Gorgs!

Winter wonderland...

It may have been a cold and wintry start to the New Year in our home town of Chagford but the transformation of the beautiful moors into a serene winter wonderland more than compensated!

Visitors have been treated to sunny, crisp days - just great for walking and exploring friendly villages made charmingly friendlier by the snow.

It's such a peaceful time of year to visit the West Country, so banish the January blues and check out our special winter offers for inspiration. We have lots of super, hand-picked holiday cottages in Chagford (pictured is Gibhouse) and if you have time to pop in to our office and say hello, all the better! Whether you prefer coast or country, grand or cosy, we'd love to help you find a great place to stay in this special part of the world, but wherever you go on holiday in 2010, we hope you have a wonderful time. Happy New Year!