SUBSTANTIAL financial aid for Worcestershire CCC continues to be forthcoming from the County's Supporters Association.

In spite of reduced income in the year ending December 31 last, the supporters provided the County with a £12,000 handout.

This was achieved with £8,000 donated from the Association's ground improvement fund and £4,000 from the accumulated fund.

Cash has also been allocated to pay for £2,000 of floral displays round the ground with a further £1,000 to be spent on youth cricket. Player of the Year awards and various grants had cost £600.

The balance sheet revealed an interest-free loan of £40,000 to Worcestershire CCC and it was noted that the supporters shop continued to be the main fund-raising area with a profit of £4,559.

Chairman Ken Mills said; "This profit is again down on previous years due to decreased attendances and continued competition from the County Club's own shop."

Total income in the past year amounted to £9,871 including investment interest of £3,988, but with expenditure of £7,456, the surplus for the year was down to £2,415. The surplus in 1998 was £14,266.

The fifty-fifty competitions with a record membership of 365, raised £2,660 for the ground improvement fund.

Mills added: "We are pleased to report that membership of the 2000 Competition has reached a new record of 490 members".

The officers were all re-elected as follows: President, Betty Godfrey; Chairman, Ken Mills; Treasurer, Bob Brookes; Secretary, Pat Mills.

Retiring members of the committee Jack Godfrey, Noreen Rowley and Jane Hickman were also re-elected.