Adapted from an article by Mark Berry in The Cambs Times, with photos by Brian Purdy, Friday 15th Sept 2006. We are grateful to the Cambs Times for the photos and permission to post the article on the Welney Website.

Children at William Marshall Primary School will now be able to play cricket all-year round thanks to a new initiative launched by Welney business, 'Johnjac Cricket Supplies', who are aiming to introduce their unique folding cricket cages into schools throughout the country. And they've started by donating the very first cage to our village school. Director John Loveday (in yellow shirt) is seen here helping to unfold the cage.

(click photos for larger view. Better quality copies of Brian Purdy's photos are available from the webmaster)

 

 

 

With the help of former England test cricketers, Jack Birkenshaw and Devon Malcolm, who are co-directors of the company, a new cage was installed and tested by the surprised and delighted schoolchildren.

 

 

Devon Malcolm, on left, said: "Our cages are perfect for schools because they can be used in any weather and folded away when not in use. "No-one else is making these kind of cages and we are determined to get them out there so that more youngsters can start playing cricket."

The cage at Welney was donated for free, but Johnjac will work with the Cricket Foundation in order to offer cages to other schools. Devon said: "We hope that this will be the start of a nationwide initiative. It can be difficult for schools to provide facilities for children to play cricket but this kind of equipment makes it much easier."

And the new cage was also welcomed by the school's staff. Headteacher, Fiona Rickard, said: "I am a real cricket fan so it is fantastic for us to receive such a great piece of equipment, as well as get the opportunity to meet Devon and Jack.  "The cage will also be used by children at Upwell Primary School and we will make it available for after-school cricket training."

Johnjac Cricket Supplies manufacture a range of cages, covers and sightscreens for clubs at all levels of the sport. Their cages are in use in the first class county grounds at Northants, Leicestershire and Durham and, as featured in the Cambs Times and Wisbech Standard in July, the company has even exported equipment to the Caribbean.

 

 

 

David Goodwin getting Devon Malcolm's prized autograph.

 

 

 

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