Colchester Northern Gateway

[Postman]

Apologies if everyone else knows this, but this week I keep hearing on commercial radio about this development near the A12, which the Council claim will include "A home for Essex Cricket". What's it about, and are the club involved?

[bwildered]

Colchester Northern Gateway is the development off the A12 by the football ground. All land around this area is earmarked for development on both sides of the A12. Last plans included the rugby club relocating to the opposite side of the A12 ( which has a cricket team ) however the land vacated is for housing and business.
Seen and heard no plans regards Essex County Cricket Club .

[Postman]

Thanks Bwildered. I've now had a longer look at the council's website (https://www.northerngatewaycolchester.co.uk/contractor-appointed-for-northern-gateway-sports-and-leisure-park/) which has a "Master plan" making things a bit clearer. It doesn't seem to have any outdoor cricket pitches but does mention a "sports hall (to be utilised as a regional hub for cricket and badminton)",  so perhaps that's  what the radio adverts meant.  Disappointing, then, for the many who would like to see Essex return to Colchester one day, though I guess most of those would like a return to Castle Park rather than a completely new site.

[Slogger]

Mr Postman it's a bit exposed on that stretch of the A12. Could be a North Essex version of Garon Park!

I would say a return to Castle Park, perhaps for the 50 over competition in 2020, would be the one. You'd have the choice of struggling through the rush hour up to Lord's or The Oval for a franchise 100 ball game which might three or four Essex players or sitting under the trees at Castle Park watching an Essex squad team. I know what I'll be doing!

[nat]

Mr Postman it's a bit exposed on that stretch of the A12. Could be a North Essex version of Garon Park!

I would say a return to Castle Park, perhaps for the 50 over competition in 2020, would be the one. You'd have the choice of struggling through the rush hour up to Lord's or The Oval for a franchise 100 ball game which might three or four Essex players or sitting under the trees at Castle Park watching an Essex squad team. I know what I'll be doing!

Trouble is... not many other people will join you. If you want to kill off the 100 ball circus then don't attend the 50 over games.

[Andy]

Trouble is... not many other people will join you. If you want to kill off the 100 ball circus then don't attend the 50 over games.

Why? Better to go to Castle Park than the franchise nonsense?

[nat]

Trouble is... not many other people will join you. If you want to kill off the 100 ball circus then don't attend the 50 over games.

Why? Better to go to Castle Park than the franchise nonsense?

Because good attendances at the 50 over games will only encourage the ecb to think the '100' rubbish is not affecting county cricket.

[LeedsExile]

The ECB are only interested in winning the 50 over World Cup this year. After that they have relegated 50 over cricket to a second team competition with no overseas players. For that reason I am hoping England do not win the World Cup. I also dislike Morgan intently and have no wish for him to lift the trophy and receive awards.

[IlfordEagle]

The ECB are only interested in winning the 50 over World Cup this year. After that they have relegated 50 over cricket to a second team competition with no overseas players. For that reason I am hoping England do not win the World Cup. I also dislike Morgan intently and have no wish for him to lift the trophy and receive awards.

Same goes for me with Morgan, bit of a Catch 22 situation with 50 over comp - I would much rather watch Essex than 100 ball nonsense but don'y want it to suffer in comparison, surely there can be no affinity with these contrived 100 ball teams?

[Andy]

I can't comprehend the term Colchester northern gateway. Was that built after Boudicca's hen party got a bit out of hand in AD60?

[smandlej]

Where Steve's parents live, there's a Liverpool Multi-modal Gateway and we still haven't figured out what it means.

Lynda and Steve

[Andy]

Where Steve's parents live, there's a Liverpool Multi-modal Gateway and we still have figured out what it means.

Lynda and Steve

Presumably nicked from another city...

[smandlej]

LOL!

Lynda and Steve

[Wicky]

The new sports area up nr the Park & Ride is supposed to have space / provision for nets / indoor games.

As for the club, Cavaliers CC that play at the MIll Rd rugby ground they are AFAIK relocating to Mile End where they are adding another pitch to the two that are currently there. Gt Horkesley & Lexden CC already use Mile End ground for their home games.

Funnily enough Mile End, Mill Rd and the Castle Park appears as an available ground on the Council's booking sheet - one time my club booked the Park for a Sunday game when it was Essex cricket week there!

[Blocky]

Mr Postman it's a bit exposed on that stretch of the A12. Could be a North Essex version of Garon Park!

I would say a return to Castle Park, perhaps for the 50 over competition in 2020, would be the one. You'd have the choice of struggling through the rush hour up to Lord's or The Oval for a franchise 100 ball game which might three or four Essex players or sitting under the trees at Castle Park watching an Essex squad team. I know what I'll be doing!

I'm with you bud, and there will be plenty of us...