Highnam Court’s CC’s Jim Homer became the Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation’s first recipient of the newly formed Volunteer of the Month Award for June.
The award is designed to recognise special volunteers who are making an outstanding contribution within their cricket club this summer.
Gareth Dawson, Workforce Development Officer, explained:
“As a Foundation we have looked at ways we can do more to recognise the efforts of Gloucestershire volunteers. We know there are so many selfless individuals who give up their time year on year, they are the heartbeat of our game and we hope that saying thank you in this small way will show how much we value their contribution to cricket.
We wanted the award to be something special to treat the winners and are delighted to team up with Cote to provide a £100 voucher to each winner.
Having joined the club at the start of the 2021 season, Jim fully immersed himself in all aspects of Club life, making a huge impact on the club’s facilities and social media presence. He used his considerable skills as an engineer to personally fashion a new and beautifully painted picket fence for the pavilion.
He has also provided finishing touches, including a sequence of hanging baskets and personally made a bespoke clock bearing the Club’s crest to mount on the pavilion finial in time for the village Jubilee celebrations at the cricket ground.
Highnam Court CC Secretary, Ashley Hathaway, said:
“He has galvanised and led a team of willing volunteers to thoroughly clean the inside of the pavilion and set up mountings for a new sightscreen at one end of the ground. Jim has also been an integral member of our new Social Media Sub-Committee, setting up new accounts, providing content and helping to develop a long-term promotional strategy.
We are a tiny village club, with few facilities and only around 25 fully paid-up members. Jim’s drive, skills and commitment have been instrumental in helping us to re-build and flourish following Covid.”
A delighted Jim, said:
“Winning this was an incredible surprise, it’s a great honour to be receiving the first award. I would like to thank the club for nominating me and thank everyone involved for all the hard work they pitched in during our project.”
Gareth Dawson, added:
“It was clear from the number and quality of applications for June, that there is so much good happening at cricket clubs across Gloucestershire.
Jim’s effort to construct a new picket fence and clock at Highnam Court meant that his application stood out from the rest and we are delighted to be able to recognise his incredible contribution. Well done and thank you Jim.