Hi everyone, This is the latest update on the proposed cricket tour/holiday to Barbados in October 2011: (dates to be finalised once we know when half term falls but I think it will be in the last 2 weeks) :-    There will be a meeting to discuss finalisation and to advise everyone of the situation at 8pm on Tuesday 22nd June, 2010 at the Ainsdale Cricket Club. Everyone welcome but especially for those who haven't been before or have not yet made up their minds - all your questions will be answered. If you can't attend then let me know and I will provide an update after the meeting.   Whilst the focus of the trip will be cricket and to help celebrate 100 years of cricket at Liverpool Road this is also an opportunity for people to holiday with friends and family - or even just on their own.  There is no obligation on anyone to take part in any of the cricket, golf or 'organised activities'. There are only 2 rules - be at the airport to fly out and be at the airport to return home!!   I have some sample prices below for the flight and a room only basis at the Amaryllis Hotel and as you can see if we get in early then we can get quite a good discount so I will need some early decisions after the meeting.  I think that this is a good price. The Amaryllis, probably known to some who have been before, is a mid range hotel right on the beach and in an ideal location for nightlife etc - I think the official rating is 3.5. although last time we went it was in need of a lick of paint.  The Amaryllis is also big enough to take a large group.   Virgin flights are usually on Sundays from Manchester but there is some speculation that it may change to Mondays in 2011.   On top of the early booking discount we will also get a group discount in the form of free places ( I think one in every 15 or 20) - but as with previous trips I would intend keeping the free place money for the 'pot' to provide the 'social' events, such as a welcome party and farewell BBQ and maybe even enough for a subsidy towards a 'swim with the turtles' catamaran trip.

  Garden View room:   BASIC ADULT PRICE             1102.00 per adult                                            EARLY BOOKING BONUS        -260.00 per room                                           ATOL PROTECTION                  2.50 per person                                          FUEL SURCHARGE                 219.00 per person                                                Garden View Superior Studio:   BASIC ADULT PRICE             1102.00 per adult                                            EARLY BOOKING BONUS        -260.00 per room                                           GARDEN STUDIO                   280.00  per room ATOL PROTECTION                  2.50 per person                                          FUEL SURCHARGE                 219.00 per person                                                1 Bedroom Garden Apartment:   BASIC ADULT PRICE             1102.00 per adult                                            EARLY BOOKING BONUS        -260.00 per room                                           1 BED GARDEN SUITE           1120.00  per room ATOL PROTECTION                  2.50 per person                                          FUEL SURCHARGE                 219.00 per person    Other upgrades, such as beach front will be available but at a supplement as will Premium Economy seats on the plane - I will try to get these details for the meeting.     Once people have made up their minds I will be looking for £150 per person deposit (its gone up from my last message), which once I have paid to the tour operator will be non refundable.  The remainder of the payment will be required around mid July 2011 so if anyone wishes to set up a savings plan with us then that can be arranged - one person is doing so already!!.     The bank account details are:   Abbey (Santander) account in name C.Wilkinson Sort Code 09-01-26 Account No 95692345.  If you decide to save by direct debit or payment into your local Santander bank then please make sure that your name is used as a reference in order that I can make sure your payment is credited to you.     I don't have  E Mail addresses for everyone so could you please pass this on to your friends and family who may be interested in making this centenary trip the most memorable ever.    Regards   Ray Walker  

                                        BARBADOS 2011






                                                 AINSDALE CRICKET CLUB, ANNOUNCES:-

‘COME WITH US TO BARBADOS OCTOBER, 2011 - THE CHANCE OF A LIFETIME TRIP TO CELEBRATE 100 YEARS OF CRICKET AT AINSDALE CRICKET CLUB.’

 

To celebrate 100yrs of cricket at the Liverpool Road ground, Ainsdale Cricket Club has asked me to plan a cricket tour to Barbados for 2 weeks in October, 2011. As some of you are already aware I have organised these trips before and the first ever Ainsdale CC Barbados trip in 2006 was a resounding success and a high point in the cricketing life of most players. These trips are not just about the men playing cricket they are an opportunity for a family holiday in a sun drenched beautiful part of the world. We can also take the opportunity to play golf, beach football and explore the Island. If you are in any doubt just ask those who have been before. It also doesn’t matter whether you are a cricketer or not – this trip is for friends and family who want a good and fun holiday. Please spread the word; let’s make it a worthwhile trip.

The reason for selecting the dates in October is to include the school half term holidays to make it easier for those with children – in the past it has been the last 2 weeks of October.

So why plan with almost 2 years still to go?  Believe me that time will pass by so quickly and these things need detailed arrangements.  It also gives the opportunity for people to plan around dates, save up and raise funds in order to subsidise the cost of cricket and to provide a revenue source for group activities such as a welcome party, a beach BBQ farewell and a swim with the turtle’s catamaran trip.

Most immediate thoughts as you read this will be – ‘sounds great but how much will it cost?’ I can understand that but it  is always difficult to predict costs this early in the planning stage but as a general rule of thumb we will be looking for something in the region of £950 to £1100 for flights and accommodation (on the beach). A golf trip I have organised for 2010 is costing £1090 per person.

This will also give me time to assess the numbers who want to go, how many want to play cricket, golf etc, how many games we need to arrange and importantly which hotel, at the best price, will take the numbers of people we want to take.  Numbers may be restricted therefore if you want to go on this trip of a lifetime then it will be on a first come basis.

Initial costs to show your commitment will be a deposit of £135 per person but that won’t be needed yet as we are only at the exploratory stages. However I reckon that we need to have a cut off date of 28th February next year, 2010, to make the decision as to whether or not there will be a viable trip. If that is a positive then I would like deposits by 30th April, 2010.  At the intended meeting (see below) I can advise everyone on potential for saving as you go along.

The last Ainsdale tour was brilliant and there is no reason why this one cannot be better – what a way to conclude the centenary celebrations. I am a regular visitor to Barbados and have also been there on several cricket tours but rather than me wax lyrical about it herein it is my intention to hold an explanatory question and answer meeting  in late January in the New Year.

I will arrange and advise you of that meeting once I have had sufficient replies from people registering an interest in the trip. So PLEASE REPLY to this e Mail as soon as possible, preferably before 12th January, 2010, to let me know if you are interested and how many people it will involve. Please pass this onto your friends and colleagues - the more the merrier (and cheaper).

 

Ray Walker
EMAIL: raythepines@netscape.net