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Saturday, April 19

WELCOME TO OUR WORLD: Lynton & Lynmouth CC's Valley of the Rocks ground.

All photographs courtesy of Richard Lappas

ONE of North Devon's best known village cricket clubs is to feature in a Sky Sports ‘fly-on-the-wall' documentary.

   Lynton & Lynmouth C.C. will be filmed for the Club Life series, which follows the fortunes of three amateur British teams on and off the field.

   Lynton's first XI was promoted into Division 1 of the North Devon Holiday Homes Cricket League last season and the players' bid to establish themselves in the top flight will be a recurring theme of the programme.

   As well as charting the side's performances in the middle, episodes will include a day in the life of a selected player, social gatherings, issues affecting the club, and a day's coaching from a leading first class cricketer.

   Last year's coaches for the series included England's Ashes-winning heroes Andrew Flintoff and Ashley Giles.

   Most of the filming will take place around the Valley of Rocks ground in Lynton – hailed by Country Life magazine as the ‘Queen of English cricket grounds' – which has seen it's fair share of quality players over the years.

   Viv Richards, Mike Proctor and Derek Pringle have all graced the wicket and in 1951 the legendary West Indian player Sir Leary Constantine was trapped lbw first ball while guesting in a local derby match.

   Lynton's chairman Robin May said, “Sky's involvement is a great honour for the club and will, I'm sure, show just what village cricket is all about.

   “The twin villages of Lynton and Lynmouth boast some of the most stunning scenery in Europe and, for sheer beauty, we believe our Valley of Rocks ground ranks alongside any cricket venue in the world. 

   “As a registered charity we aim to promote cricket to anyone and everyone in North Devon.

   “If we can help promote the area to a TV audience, so much the better.

   "We also hope the exposure will help us attract and develop new players and members from the region.”

   Mr May added that there was more to the Valley ground than its dramatic setting.

   “Our wicket and outfield have played superbly in recent years,' he said. “We have a groundsman who sweats blood down there.”

   “If the weather is kind spectators and viewers can expect a real run-fest. We just hope it's us scoring the runs."

   Filming commences this weekend (April 19th), following the players' pre-season get-together and opening fixture, at home to Holsworthy, in the North Devon Holiday Homes League Cup.

   The series is expected to be broadcast mainly during the lunch intervals of England's forthcoming Test series' against New Zealand and South Africa.

   Series producer Rob Noonan said: Club Life has become a firm favourite with our viewers over the past two years and the 2008 series promises to be a real cracker!

   'The stunning backdrop of the Lynton and Lynmouth cricket ground coupled with a team full of characters should provide a great summer's entertainment.  We're thrilled that the club has agreed to be involved!'