Ravi Bopara gave the England selectors another huge nudge with his second century of the week as Essex drew their rain-affected LV= County Championship match at Northamptonshire.
Essex declared on 400-6 to claim maximum batting points, with Bopara scoring a magnificent 174 off 290 balls and his captain and wicketkeeper James Foster making 135 off 230 deliveries.
Northants then closed on 200-3 as James Middlebrook clobbered a century against his old club with 100 off 141 balls.
Resuming on 87, completed the 22nd century of his first-class career in the 14th over of the day as he hammered a four through the covers off Lee Daggett.
Foster went on to complete the 18th first-class ton of his career off 203 deliveries, before Bopara's sensational innings finally came to an end when he was caught at deep square leg off Daggett.
The Essex declaration came as soon as they reached 400 in the afternoon session and Northants then reached 43-1 at tea.
Middlebrook then took centre stage and smashed his second hundred in consecutive home games off 138 balls.
Day Three
Further awful weather ensured that the third day of the LV= County Championship Division Two match between Northamptonshire and Essex was washed out without a ball being bowled on Friday.
Persistent rain at Wantage Road meant that the covers never left the field before umpires Trevor Jesty and Tim Robinson decided to abandon the day's play at 12:20pm.
The abandonment leaves England international Ravi Bopara still waiting to try and complete his second century in a week, he will resume on 87 on Saturday should conditions improve, with his team on 195-4.
Essex captain and wicketkeeper James Foster will look to build on his overnight total of 60, but the continued disruption means a result is now virtually impossible.
Day Two
Ravi Bopara moved closer to his second century of the week on a rain shortened second day of Essex's County Championship match at Northamptonshire.
Only 13 wicketless overs were bowled at Wantage Road before bad light forced the players off and the rain soon followed, leading to play being abandoned for the day in the afternoon with Essex having moved from 138-4 to 195-4.
Bopara, looking to follow up the unbeaten 120 he smashed against Gloucestershire in the Clydesdale Bank 40 on Monday, moved on to 87 off 180 balls, including 15 fours.
He was ably supported by his captain and wicketkeeper James Foster's 60 not out off 118 deliveries with their partnership now standing at 138.
Day One
Essex recovered from a shaky start to the opening day of their Division Two clash at Northamptonshire thanks to an unbeaten half-century from Ravi Bopara.
The visitors had been reduced to 57-4 just prior to lunch before Bopara struck 65 not out from 129 deliveries, to take his side to 138 without further loss when rain brought an early close at Wantage Road.
Northants paceman David Willey took 2-23 and former Sri Lanka seamer Chaminda Vaas also claimed a wicket, as the hosts' attack dominated early on after Essex won the toss and elected to bat.
They lost opener Tom Westley for 12 in the fourth over when he edged Vaas to give James Middlebrook a simple catch.
Owais Shah lasted just one ball until he was run out with a direct hit by Ben Howgego at point, and Mark Pettini fell on 32 when he edged Willey to Northants wicketkeeper David Murphy.
Willey struck again to dismiss Ben Foakes' for a duck in the penultimate over of the morning but Bopara stood firm, striking 12 fours as he added some respectability to his side's total.
Source: www.skysports.com
Monty Panesar helps Sussex beat the clock and beat Surrey - The Guardian
Festival cricket has been at its most obdurate here. Almost washed away on Thursday, nearly blown away on Friday, and kicked in the coffers every day, it still survived to present an exciting finish before an appreciative crowd. Even the sun came out at the end.
Horsham's stoics deserved some decent action on the final day of this important Division One fixture, and they received it, as Sussex roundly outplayed Surrey. The home side, set 22 to win from a minimum of six overs, won by 10 wickets with 25 balls to spare.
This Surrey side abound with talent. But they have won one game with the season half gone – against Sussex in their opening match – and unless they find some form soon they will be fighting relegation. Trailing by 227 on the first innings, they were within a few overs of saving the game when James Anyon took the last wicket, bowling the determined Rory Hamilton-Brown for 47. Surrey's top order has been inconsistent and they are in need of an opening batsman, having tried five combinations in eight matches.
Resuming on 39 for one, Surrey lost their first wicket when the nightwatchman Stuart Meaker, inside-edged Steve Magoffin into his stumps. The recalled Mark Ramprakash again looked diffident, a shadow of his imperious past. He survived long enough to play himself in but as soon as he had done so he was out for 37, lbw as he attempted to sweep Monty Panesar.
Sussex missed the chance of another breakthrough just before lunch when Chris Nash, at short leg, dropped Zander de Bruyn off Magoffin. It was not an expensive mistake. De Bruyn, dropped on 16 had added only five runs when – like Ramprakash – he was lbw attempting to sweep Panesar.
Steven Davies struck some pleasing drives and there were five fours in his 35 before he edged Panesar to Michael Yardy at slip. Encouraged by Panesar's success, Yardy opted for twirl from both ends and in his first over, Nash had Tom Maynard lbw.
Surrey were looking bad and soon they looked shambolic. Gareth Batty drove to wide mid-on and set off for a single. But he had not spotted that his captain, Hamilton-Brown, was going nowhere, and by the time he had conveyed that message to Batty it was too late for him to make up his ground and he was comfortably run out.
With Panesar and Nash in comfortable control, it was a small surprise that Yardy took the new ball, at 179 for six, 10 minutes before tea. But by now the Surrey batsmen looked equally hesitant against pace and spin. At tea they were 183 for seven. Murali Kartik, swinging, was bowled by the impressive Anyon and Jonathan Lewis looked unhappy to be given out caught behind off Nash. But Jade Dernbach resisted for almost half an hour to take Surrey to the brink of safety before the fall of Hamilton-Brown.
The only bad news for Sussex is that Queensland have asked for the return of Australian fast bowler Magoffin.
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Seaford’s part in warning against foreign invasion - Lewes Today
I SHOULD imagine that beacons have been used for many years as a means of communication. This was particularly the case to warn us good Sussex folk from invasion against the French.
The first records of these devices in England date from the 14th century when we were at war with the French – the Hundred Years War. There would have been a beacon, ready to be lit on Seaford Head. In July 1545, a French fleet headed by the French Admiral Claude D’Annebault attacked Seaford. Locals, under the command of Sir Nicholas Pelham of Lewes used farm implements and stones from the beach to pelt the enemy into a hasty retreat. How did Pelham raise this makeshift army so quickly? I am sure his motley army was warned by beacons. The French went on to attack Brighton and Hove and a contemporary print shows the “ye Towne Fire Cage” lit on high ground where Kemp Town is now located.
Other beacons were more substantial. Orders issued in 1585 stated that beacons would need to be ‘in the accustomed places’ and that five households would be appointed for each pair of beacons. Two people were needed to watch the beacons at all times – a rule that lasted until after the Spanish Amada passed in 1588. In 1584 an entry in the Seaford Town Records says: “Robert Best will not watch at the sea-side according to the laudable custom.” This indicates that there was obviously a form of coastal watch at Seaford.
The beacons were all the way along the Sussex coast. At Beachy Head (the most southerly part of East Sussex) a series of beacons were constructed in-land at Willingdon, Wilmington and Firle (Beacon) to send warning quickly to Lewes, the County Town.
By the Victorian era, more sophisticated means of communication had been developed but beacons still used – not for warning but for celebration. Bonfire beacons were lit on Seaford Head to commemorate Royal jubilees and coronations. When George V was crowned on June 22, 1911, both Seaford and Newhaven celebrated with beacons lit at 10pm. The one at Newhaven was so big it was still alight the next morning! The teenage girls of Ladycross School decided they were going to watch a beacon being lit – not at Seaford but Firle!
They set off from school in pelting rain at 8.30pm and by the time they reached Blatchington Golf Course their shoes were waterlogged and they were soaked through. They soldiered on and finally reached the huge bonfire in the pitch dark. At first there were just a few people there but by 10pm a large crowd had gathered. On the stroke of 10pm a rocket and a loud bang was heard from Newhaven. Two men with flaming torches ran to the beacon, pulled aside large branches that covered openings and applied the torches to the dry gorse underneath. Soon the whole bonfire was ablaze and lit up a large area (and hopefully dried the girls!). One of the party, Miss D Patterson said she could count 18 other beacons from Firle and was sure she would have seen more if it was not for the bad weather.
After nearly an hour, the girls decided to head back to Seaford, lit for a short distance by the beacon. The weather was still bad, the Firle beacon was soon out, it was pitch black and they had no torches. They got lost. They were aiming for Alfriston race course but were too close to Newhaven, some fell in rabbit holes or tripped as they walked through dark fields of barley, climbed fences and stumbled through gorse hedges. Eventually, led by Miss Brunton, they heard St Leonard’s Church Clock strike midnight and saw the Seaford beacon, which guided them back to their school an hour and a half later. I am sure they deserved the hot cocoa and biscuits that were waiting for them.
Isn’t that a fantastic story? I am sure every girl remembered the beacon and their adventure until their dying day. Can you imagine the Health & Safety implications today?
This leads me to the special beacon built by Seaford Bonfire Society for her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee last Monday where unfortunately red-tape prevented a bonfire being built on its traditional spot. The beacon however was built on the retaining wall of the old Splash Point Hotel and was clearly visible from the east end of the town. Following the excellent concert on Martello Fields which every one seemed to really enjoy there was a laser light show from the top of the Martello Tower. A few minutes earlier the huge golden orb of a full-moon hoved into view from behind the cliffs, a truly beautiful spectacle.
At 10.15pm a shaft of green laser light sliced through the night air to the beacon which was soon alight to the cheers of the thousands of Seafordians.
As I was caretaking at the Martello Tower I was able to see the beacon on Castle Hill, Newhaven and the glow of the Firle and Alfriston Beacons. Michael Ann was the Beacon Master for East Sussex and reports that about 300 people witnessed the lighting of the Alfriston beacon which he believes was the largest in the county. There were over 50 official beacons in East Sussex and our beacons will be added to a list which will be presented to Her Majesty.
I would have liked to ended this report by saying there was no sign of the French – but I can’t. I spoke to a part of two French families who were visiting us. They said that they had had a fantastic evening and it was. Thank you to all concerned.
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Print this pageSource: www.sussexexpress.co.uk
Giant private firm to take on 600 West Sussex council jobs - The Argus.co.uk
Giant private firm to take on 600 West Sussex council jobs
2:00pm Saturday 9th June 2012 in News By Neil Vowles
A giant private sector firm has been chosen to take on hundreds of council jobs and run back-office services in a deal worth up to £154 million.
West Sussex County Council has confirmed Capita as its preferred bidder for a huge outsourcing project that will see responsibility for payroll, human resources, finance, procurement and office services transfer to the firm.
About 600 council staff would transfer to Capita later this year as part of the ten-year agreement which could eventually see 800 staff swap employers.
The deal is set to save the council £5.8 million over the next three years as part of total planned cost savings of £79 million.
Opposition councillors have raised concerns about what safeguards will be put in place if savings are not met and departments have to be brought back in-house.
The contract is expected to be formally signed by the end of the month and would start at the beginning of September.
Parallels have been drawn with joint venture company Somerset One, which was set up in 2007 by Somerset County Council, Taunton Deane Borough Council, Avon and Somerset police and IBM to modernise the local authorities’ business processes.
Earlier this year, Somerset decided to bring 160 HR advisory, development and learning jobs back in-house after making losses of £31.5 million.
Liberal Democrat councillor James Walsh said: “This is not dissimilar to the Somerset arrangement.
“I want to have assurances that the contract will be precise and specific, and that it will be subject to close monitoring by elected councillors of all parties in West Sussex.”
A West Sussex County Council spokesman said: “It would not be appropriate for us to comment on decisions made by Somerset County Council. They were outsourcing a different set of services.
“We have followed rigorous procedures in procuring a partner to work with us.
“Levels of performance, standards and service have been identified as part of this process, and will be carefully monitored throughout the life of the contract.”
A Capita spokeswoman said: “We are thrilled at the prospect of working with West Sussex County Council and look forward to supporting the council in delivering services.”
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Source: www.theargus.co.uk
Essex Relay: Part 1 - Celebrates its 20th Anniversary - Examiner
Relay for Life is a huge, fun fundraising endeavor for the American Cancer Society (ACS). Having begun in Tacoma, Wa. by just one man, “Relay” is now history. It is celebrated by more than 3.5 million people in 5,000 communities and 20 different countries. One of the east Baltimore County events, has been held on the campus of the Community Colleges of Baltimore County (CCBC) Essex Campus since 1993. Thousands of supporters, advocates and patients have walked the track throughout the night for each of the past 20 years, raising more than a million dollars... possibly closer to two million!
The 2012 Essex Relay raised over $81,000 before the start of the event on Friday, June 8. Thousands more was turned in as teams registered, updated their team donations, participated in the Silent Auction and continued their fundraising efforts throughout the night's event. As this article goes to press, the Essex Relay page indicates a total of $85,800 in donations. That total will continue to grow as teams update the funds from their participants and as others continue to donate on the website.
The Essex Relay had 36 registered teams, with just 412 participants this year. Team “Hope Hunters” raised $13,847! Team “Walking Angels” has participated from the beginning with its four primary team members, Jean, Ann, Marge and Elaine – four sisters, all cancer survivors and dedicated supporters of the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life.
Team “Because of Joyce” was one of several first-time-participants. Nancy was a best friend to Joyce who died of lung cancer in February. Nancy saw a television commercial for Relay for Life shortly after Joyce's funeral. She decided then to honor her friend by participating in this awesome event. With 17 members, the team raised over $2,000, an awesome effort for a brand new team.
The Essex Relay began on Friday, June 8 with a survivors dinner at 5 p.m., opening ceremonies at 7 p.m. and so much more before closing ceremonies at 6 a.m. on Saturday, June 9. A series of articles will follow to highlight many of the special events, guest speakers and fun activities that occurred during this historical milestone.
If you would like to donate to the Essex Relay visit the website now and click on donate. You can donate the overall event, to a specific team or team member. All monies raised go to the American Cancer Society to fund the numerous services they provide, including research projects, the Hope Lodge facility, educational efforts as well as direct patient services.
If you would like to an receive email alert when new articles are posted, click the subscribe link above to provide you email address.
Disclaimer: Anna Renault is a member of Team Hollyneckers: Kissing Cancer Goodbye.
Source: www.examiner.com
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