One of the joys of the lifting of Covid restrictions is to see Oswestry Cricket Club, that sporting and social jewel of the town, slowly coming back to community-enhancing life again.

In the last 10 years this picturesque gem down the Morda Road has become not only the home of one of the most talented set of young cricketers in Shropsire – and indeed the Midlands – but has also been the chosen meeting place of many, many societies, clubs and social groups in the border area.

Lovers of bridge, choir singing and lots of other varied pastimes have used some of the best and most welcoming facilities in this area to get-together. Countless clubs and societies have held their annual general meetings, annual dinners, social nights and presentation evenings there. And a host of couples have enjoyed their first hours together as man and wife as they held their reception parties for family and friends.

On top of this many of the great names in sport have entertained a packed clubhouse with tales from their time at the top. Cricket’s Geoff Millar and Michael Vaughan are on their way in the coming months.

A group of friends from a wide area of Shropshire joined me as lockdown came to an end for a buffet tea and an afternoon watching the Oswestry first team play in the Birmingham League. Everyone of them went away saying it was one the best summer afternoons they had ever enjoyed.

So three cheers for those people who, under the leadership of chairman Chris Wiseman and president John Hulme and a tireless committee, work so hard to provide what is without a doubt one of the most needed facilities in the social life of this historic town.

And I hope the town’s many social groups and sports enthusiasts’ go back to use and enjoy the facilities at the Stonehouse Oval. With sponsors like that how could it not be a place to relax and unwind in!

The town would be such a poorer place without it.

David Lewis,

Llanforda Rise, Oswestry.