DULUX TRADE SCORES A RUN WITH STOKESLEY CRICKET CLUB

17 September 2008

Stokesley Cricket Club in North Yorkshire has taken part in the NatWest Cricket Force initiative for the first time this year, a scheme which encourages cricket supporters to give something back to the sport by volunteering to renovate their local community cricket club.

The Stokesley cricket ground is home to around 100 members, with eight teams playing in the North Yorkshire and South Durham league. Being such an important community area and in order to encourage the teams to continue their success in the league, 25 club members grouped together to help refresh the club grounds in preparation for the start of the cricket season.

To achieve optimum quality and long lasting results, the members used nearly 200 litres of Cuprinol Trade and Dulux Trade Woodcare products, including Cuprinol Trade Landscape Stain & Preserver, Cuprinol Ultra Tough Decking Stain, Cuprinol Trade Cladding & Fence Opaque Finish, Cuprinol Sprayable Plus 5 Year Fence Treatment and Dulux Trade Weathershield Woodstain AP (Advanced Protection).

Stokesley Cricket Club chairman Neil Bayliss commented: “The volunteers joined forces one cold and damp weekend to renovate the grounds and by using Cuprinol Trade and Dulux Trade Woodcare products, they were able to give it just the boost it required.

“The areas in need of urgent attention were the fencing, decking and score box. Helping us achieve ultimate results, Cuprinol Trade and Dulux Trade Woodcare provided expert advice, specifying the best possible products for the job. This in turn allowed us to start the cricket season in high spirits, which has already been reflected in the results of our teams this year, with excellent performances in league and cup competitions.”

Richard Bradley, Trade Woodcare Marketing Manager ensured the right products were specified for the grounds: “It was important to use products that enhanced the look of the outdoor timber whilst also protecting it from deterioration and discolouration caused by extreme weather conditions. With this in mind, carefully selected water-based and solvent-based products were specified, so that the cricket ground would be rejuvenated and maintained for years to come.”

The volunteers were presented with the task of treating 440 square metres of fencing surrounding the border of the cricket field. Using a Cuprinol Power Sprayer, the fences were covered in Cuprinol Sprayable Plus 5 Year Fence Treatment, which transformed the drab brown perimeter fencing into a bright Harvest Gold colour - reflecting the gold and green club colours.

To coat the fences a range of application techniques were used, which allowed volunteers of all ages to help. Whereas some used brushes and rollers, a Cuprinol Power Sprayer along with Cuprinol Sprayable Plus 5 Year Fence Treatment was available which meant that fence panels could be treated in under a few minutes. Not only is it ultra quick to apply, but the treatment also contains extra waxes to protect the fence from the weather, UV inhibitors to protect from UV rays and ensure the colour is long lasting and also algicides to protect from green algae.

To refresh the score board box, the group used the cost-effective solvent-based Cuprinol Trade Cladding & Fence in black to provide a quality opaque finish. This product is ideal for exterior non-joinery timber such as cladding, garden structures and rough sawn or smooth fencing.

The decking was coated in Cuprinol Ultra Tough Decking Stain, which gave a Golden Maple colour and a tough durable protective finish to prevent any potential cracking or peeling.

Some of the perimeter seats were also rejuvenated, providing a fresh green colour using water-based Cuprinol Trade Landscape Stain & Preserver, which is perfect for outdoor timber. The pigmented wood preservative contains ingredients that penetrate the wood and protect it against weather, rot and the growth of green algae for up to 5 years. Being a water-based preserver means it is extremely quick to dry (just 2 to 4 hours), which means people can use the seats almost straight away without experiencing pigment rub off.

Dulux Trade Weathershield Woodstain AP will be used to coat the picnic and hardwood benches at the grounds. This high performance woodstain provides a water repellent quality finish. With Advanced Protection technology the Dulux Trade Weathershield Woodstain AP will provide the benches with exceptional durability, protecting them from extreme weather for 6 years.