Eton Ramblers Fund
Eton Ramblers is an active, flourishing and buoyant sports club. Many have played for us over the years and indeed have scores of happy memories of our time on Upper Club and Agars whilst at school. A number of us equally, however, have started to wonder what else we should be doing to further support the aims of our club and subsequently that of school cricket, items such as covers, sight screens and extra groundsmen are all badly needed. The Ramblers play a number of matches on Upper Club and Agars at no charge and it is therefore appropriate that the club makes every effort to improve the financial state of Eton cricket.
With the exception of rowing, cricket is the most expensive sport to run. With 25 active teams and 25 pitches, the demand on the school is high. The support from the school has been adequate to date but we do feel that there is so much more that can be accomplished. We all know that the pavilions, particularly that on Agars, have not been as well looked after as we would like, with some pitches also needing attention. Then there is the question of net quality and the provision of professional coaching. There is no problem at the top, but there can be much improvement lower down the school. Building an Eton Ramblers Fund would enable both the boys and indeed us Ramblers to help ensure the future success and quality of the sport we love.
Our Aims
1. To establish an Eton Ramblers Fund to contribute to the upkeep and improvement of Eton’s cricket grounds, equipment and facilities. In turn the Fund will help enhance the experience of Ramblers cricket at Eton.
2. It will support cricket at Eton through the provision of equipment and, if appropriate, additional expert coaching. (It is not to be considered for the funding of tours.)
3. In time it may also support improvements to the pavilions, including the restoration of the Beehive and provision of storage facilities for the new equipment at Agars.
4. It is envisaged that the fund will be made up of:
a) Monthly, quarterly or annual donations, preferably made through standing orders;
b) Capital gifts (reserved for larger capital projects);
c) Substantial gifts to help constitute a Eton Ramblers Fund Endowment.
(Donations will be payable to Eton College and subject to available tax relief. They remain the ultimate responsibility of the Provost and Fellows but their use will be restricted for the benefit of the Eton Ramblers Fund.)
5. A fundraising committee of Eton Ramblers representing different generations is being established to promote as broad a base of participation in the fund as possible. If you would like more information on becoming a member of the fundraising committee please do contact Krish Gunatunga in the Development Office at Eton College.
6. An Eton Ramblers Fund Advisory Committee is being set up to recommend regular distributions from the Fund after consultation with the College. Distributions will be made at least annually. Ordinarily gifts received into the fund shall be expendable. Circumstances permitting, an endowed sub-fund may be established within the Eton endowment to provide a further source of regular income to support the Fund. There will be up to five members of the Committee consisting of three Eton Ramblers, the Master-in-Charge of cricket, and one further Eton cricket representative. The Eton Ramblers Committee shall nominate the members. Thereafter the Advisory Committee will nominate members. The President of the Eton Ramblers should be a permanent member.
7. The Ramblers Advisory Committee will report at least annually to the Ramblers Membership on the status of the Fund and the uses to which it is being put.
Examples of the use to which such the Eton Ramblers Fund may be put are:
Major Schemes:
• 8 artificial pitches (Agars 5-8; Dutchmans 5-8) for Senior League, Junior League and School Cricket in inclement weather - Total cost: c£56k
• Nets on Triangle: Four phase project: 12 nets on Triangle plus remove and extend two Agar’s nets. - Total cost: £100k
• Heavy Roller - Total cost: £20k
• Upper Club – total square cover - Total cost: £10k
• Upgrade of Upper Club scoreboard - Total cost: £10k
Minor projects – annual rolling schemes:
• Sightscreens for Agars, Dutchmans, Mespots @ £5k p.a.
• Sheet covers for Agars,Dutchmans @ £2k p.a.
• Summer Half groundstaff supplement (including Sunday overtime) £10k p.a.
• Net cage – 1 per year (£5k p.a.)
• Junior Cricket professional(s) (Summer Half) @ £4k p.a.
What you can do
I would very much hope that we can raise a capital sum of £500k with a further £20k per annum by way of annual donations. However any capitol amount over £250k would be very credible and would certainly give the fund the ability to make a very significant contribution to cricket at Eton.
If you would like to contribute, please contact the Development Office or complete and return a Ramblers Fund Donation Form.
We do need the support of many Ramblers to make this work.
Please do join us in contributing, large or small, to the Eton Ramblers Fund.
Peter Lowndes (DJG-C ’66), President of Eton Ramblers