The Daniel Worrall Memorial Trust

In 2009 The Trust were approached by a couple of ladies in the village who wished to form a ladies netball team.

After various discussions The Trust agreed to help them to fund this, hence the DW LADIES netball team was formed. They train in Daventry inside once a week (another good reason for The Trust to keep fundraising so they could train indoors in the village without the need to travel) and play in the Daventry Sunday morning league.  Equipment and kit was purchased hurriedly for these keen ladies so they had the opportunity to get some training sessions in before the season commenced.

They appear so far to have had an enjoyable season winning some and loosing others!  Unfortunately they have suffered several serious injuries during their first season with a snapped Achilles tendon being the first and recently a broken wrist.  However all that said they have all done very well and we wish them continued success.

Early in 2009 an under 15′s cricket team was set up (all be it in a hurry) as it was a project Daniel had been keen to set up and see come to fruition, therefore a team of volunteers keen to see it happen gave up their time to ensure it did.  The Trust purchased Polo Shirts and had them embroidered with The Trust logo for the team and a group of volunteers/parents gave their time to train and take the team to matches.

In 2010 The Trust decided they wished to expand the under 15′s cricket team and offer the opportunity to participate in cricket to a wider age range. Therefore we have set up a junior committee and have trained coaches available who have agreed to coach the various teams.  We have purchased equipment for these teams and helped with any registration fees etc.

It is hoped as time progresses we will have various teams/various age groups in the junior cricket club and that with time they will become self funding and will be an asset to the senior cricket club and the village.Currently for this year we have an under 15′s team and a kwik cricket team for the 7-10 year olds.  The under 15′s currently travel to Bugbrooke with the senior team for indoor net practice once a week.  This is another reason for The Trust to keep fundraising to save these teams having to travel out of the village to find a suitable indoor sporting facility.

If you or anyone you know wishes to become a member or help with the junior cricket club please do not hesitate to contact us, we will glad to hear from you.

On Christmas Day Santa was busy again in the village out delivering presents on his sleigh to both the young and old in the village.  He had many presents of various shapes and sizes to deliver to lots of locations in the village.  Santa’s sleigh was pulled by a tractor to the various addresses on what was a sunny, cold Christmas morning.  It was an absolute delight to see the surprised yet excited look on the children’s faces when he opened their front door on Christmas morning to come face to face with Santa himself, and not only was he at their front door but he actually had presents in his sack for them.

Once again this is an event that the volunteers enjoyed as much as the recipients and we hope to make this an annual event, so if you want Santa to deliver to your door on Christmas morning next time look out for our notices or check on the web site nearer the time to book your delivery, you need to book early as it is Santa’s busiest time.

In December 2009 in conjunction with Woodford Halse Fire Service and  lots of volunteers The Trust and the Fire Service with their families took to the streets of Woodford with Santa on his sleigh and the Fire Engine with blue lights flashing and sirens blazing to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

After several meetings between The Trust and the Fire Service it was decided to do the collection properly.  After purchasing material to make a sleigh Paul Shrimpton very kindly volunteered to make our sleigh of which he did a fantastic job.  The sleigh was then all decorated and everything tested to ensure Santa was safe (very Important) and that both lights and music worked.  Mainline Timber very kindly allowed us use of one of their old vehicles for the sleigh to sit on, our thanks to them for this.  Everyone then set to decorating the sleigh with lights, setting up the Christmas tree and securing it, music was organised and everything was wired up and we were ready for the off.

The volunteers involved braved the the dark, cold December evenings three nights running to help this collection a great success for both local causes.  Each time we all ventured out in the cold when we arrived back at the Fire Station to unload the vehicles and warm up the excitement was easy to see and hear in peoples voices.  Everyone agreed it was magical and all made worthwhile to see the sheer delight on the children’s faces when Santa waved to them from his sleigh and then as the fire engine approached with sirens blazing and lights flashing they would squeal with excitement.  Christmas is all about the children and it certainly made ours to see such excitement.

Both Woodford Fire Service and The Trust would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support and donations which have helped both parties to raise valuable funds.  After a successful and enjoyable few nights all those involved agreed they wished to make it an annual event.  Well done all.

On a sunny cold Sunday just after Christmas (27/12/09) after a night of continuous rain many vintage tractors of various size and colour made their way up to Woodford United Football ground to find out what route their road run would be taking them on.  Before setting off they all made the most of the hot drinks supplied and the biscuits to go with it (for energy of course).

It was quite a spectacle to see the various tractors set off on their way, although we ladies were glad we had to prepare the food in a nice warm kitchen for the intrepid adventurers return.

After a successful tractor run the hungry enthusiasts returned for a hearty lunch to warm them up.  They were served a choice of 2 soups with a bread roll for starter followed by homemade cottage pie, with homemade chocolate trifle to finish the meal.  As their was not a lot left and several went back for more we can only assume it was enjoyed by all.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those members of the Boddington Vintage Tractor Association for holding this event and for donating all funds raised to The Daniel Worrall Memorial Trust.

Mr A Fermore

Mr Fermore receiving keys to his new car.

We would like to thank everyone that entered our Prize Draw.

Sponsored by: PHOTOFAX BUSINESS SYSTEMS

Over 100 competitors baked in the bank holiday sunshine to complete the first Daniel Worrall Memorial Trust 2.5 Mile fun run, around the streets of Woodford Halse. the race was won by the late Daniels Cousin Lee Worrall in a time of 15min 56 seconds.

Raising nearly £3,000.00 for the proposed sports hall project.

Winners…

The Daniel Worrall Memorial Trust, would like to thank Tim Vines of Photofax Business Systems for the donation of £500.00 and local Band “Warts + All” for their kind sponsorship.

The trust would like to thank both Woodford Cricket Club & Byfield Cricket Club for a fabulous afternoon of cricket, long may it continue.  Thanks to Byfield C.C. for the raffle prizes, & a great game of cricket.  Our thanks to Woodford C.C. for the use of the pitch, & supplying the teas for the hungry players, & not forgetting all the spectators who supported the teams.  Well done to everyone, you have helped the trust raise £617.00 towards a great cause.  In the spirit of fairness the match reports from both teams are listed below.

Byfield won the toss and elected to bat first which was a decision that seemed to please Woodfords captain Joe Haynes. Woodford started the game in the best possible fashion as Duncan Harris fell to the first ball of the game and Byfield found themselves 0 for 1 !

This was short lived though as Byfield packed on the runs through Joe fox and the returning Byfield veteran John Ward who also hit his first six of his long playing career! This left Woodford chasing over 270 runs to win.

Woodford reply didn’t start too well as Ian Reekie ripped through the top order with some what can only be described as some interesting bowling. This brought Kevin Worrall and Nick ‘ Ian Botham’ Smilie to the crease with Woodford in dire straits.

The pair shared a 100 partnership and at the drinks break the game was back on and Woodford could smell victory.

The curse of the drinks break ended all hope of a Woodford victory as Steve Clayton brought back on his strike bowler Ian Reekie to claim the wicket of Smilie for 47, Kevin soon fell after for 42. Some resistance from the Woodford lower order guided them to over 200 at the close of play with Joe Haynes scoring 31.

Next year it will be held at Byfield cc where Woodford will hope to gain revenge.

Thanks to everyone who took part in the game or the things going on around the game it was a massive success and long may it continue.

Dean Haynes – Woodford C.C

The match got underway with a bang for Woodford with the ball, Duncan Harris being out first ball of the game – caught Fraser Kidd, bowled Lissya Tucker. But they recovered thanks to good batting by Joe Fox & some mighty hitting from Stu Haynes.

Joe ‘retired’ to be replaced by ‘The Masterblaster’ Johnny Ward – who hit 50 (Incl. 2 sixes!) before retiring too.  ‘Ringer’ Roly Berry then chipped in a few as well, culminating in Byfield scoring 274 off their 40 overs.

Woodford’s reply also started badly – losing 2 early wicket s to ‘ The Demon Barnes Wallace’ Twaeky Reekie! They too rallied thanks to Nick Smilie & Kev Woz, but both these two fell just short of their 50′s, & despite great stroke play from Joe Haynes, Woodford came up short, in a games played in the manner & spirit the occasion demanded.

Our thanks must also go to the umpires Cyril Green & Tom Rigby, the tea ladies, all the ground staff, Deano & all the trust members.

Mick Lamb – Chairman, Byfield C.C.

Thanks to all those who attended or purchased horses & races for the race night on the 17th April.  All those attending appeared to have enjoyed the evening & once again have all boosted the trust funds.  Both adults & children placed their bets in the hope of making a few bucks, some studying the form & others going for their lucky numbers.  Alas we were not all winners but we had a good time, a few drinks & raised money.  The grand total for the Race Night & Raffle was £511.35, so once again thanks to all for your support.  We also had a donation to make the final funds raised on the night up to £600.00.

Five of Daniel’s best friends were given a momentous welcome as they returned to Woodford Halse after completing a mammoth trek to Bournemouth and back. Over four days Nick Smilie, Tom Henderson, Fraser Kidd, Joe Haynes and Ben Chambers cycled 245 miles and raised around £4,000 for the Trust.

Supported by the Trust’s vice-chairman, Nigel Smilie, the five cyclists completed an average of 60 miles each day, stopping only to take on water and food, fix punctures, shake collection tins and to pitch their tents at the halfway mark - Bulpit Lane, home to Hellenic League side, Hungerford Town F.C.

“Bournemouth was always an important place for us all and together with Danny we spent many happy weekends in the town”, said Nick Smilie. “It just seemed the obvious choice but to be honest it could have been anywhere in the country and we’d still have done it.”

Daniel’s father and Trust chairman, Kevin Worrall said afterwards, “Their passion, energy and determination has astounded us all. They are true heroes and Daniel would have been so proud of them.“

The Trust would like to thank Evans Halshaw (Banbury) for the loan of the support van, Blenheim Palace for the supply of natural spring water and Hungerford Town F.C. for its hospitality. Their spirit and generosity helped to make this possible.

See also http://www.daventrytoday.co.uk/news/Saddling-up-for-charity.5130518.jp