A meeting has been organised for this week to gauge the level of interest in re-establishing and developing a cricket club in Liskeard.

The event takes place in the Liskeard Sports and Social Club, at Lux Park, on Monday, September 24 (7pm)

Liskeard Cricket Club secretary John Coates said: ‘Should anybody have an interest in helping to re-establish the club, maybe only off the field of play, then there is always plenty to be done. I would urge you to please come along to the meeting and add your interest.

‘If you are unable to be at this first meeting but wish to establish your interest, please send a note to Liskeard Cricket Club, c/o Liskeard Sports Club, Coldstyle Road, Liskeard, PL14 3HZ with an outline of your interest, for example: girls’ team, youth team etc.’

Liskeard Cricket Club, formed in the late 1880s, were forced to resign from the Cornwall League’s division three east in May because of lack of players.

They conceded two games and withdrew on May 15. The only match they played was on May 5 when they won by 43 runs against Wadebridge, who went on the win the division.

There has been no cricket activity at Lux Park since then, although the playing area has been painstakingly maintained by long-serving groundsman Rob Merchant throughout the hottest summer on record.

Mr Coates added: ‘All the facilities are ready and waiting, tended and cherished, for some excellent cricket. Now there are opportunities for new teams in addition to a team in the Cornwall Cricket League.

‘It may be that there are any number of young people wishing to play cricket, and enough to field a youngsters’ team.

‘It may be that a female team comes forward and seeks a formal position in the Cornwall Women’s League.

‘And then there are many moves to extend the participation in cricket with shorter games, indoor leagues, friendlies, and so on.’

If Liskeard CC could be revived, and then expanded to encompass women’s teams and youngsters’ teams, there would be opportunities, through the English Cricket Board, to be involved in schemes such as ‘Chance to Shine’ and in a position to apply for grants to help the club progress.