Worcestershire CCC have had a healthy influx of more than 150 new members so far for the 2015 season which marks the club's 150th Anniversary Year and a return to playing LV = County Championship Division One cricket.
And the county wants to make them immediately feel at home at New Road and is hosting a 'welcome' function in the Marquee on the first day of the opening Championship match with Yorkshire on Sunday, April 12.
New members – and a guest of theirs plus members who have referred a friend – will have the opportunity to meet club staff who will be on hand to answer any questions.
They will also be given information on where some of the key areas are on the ground such as the club offices, the club shop and refresment areas – including of course the famed teas and cakes in the Ladies Pavilion!
It will also allow them the opportunity to meet fellow new members and maybe forge some new friendships in what we hope will be the start of a long association with the club.
And any guests of new members who are also hooked on what the club has to offer can also take out new memberships on April 12 by simply paying a visit to the club offices.
Membership and Ticketing Manager Amy Francetti said: "Because we've had such a good response for membership for the 150th Anniversary Year, we thought it would be a nice way to welcome new members to New Road, introduce them to key personnel, just show what a friendly club it is and give them a warm welcome.
"We will have the Marquee open with refreshments and we will invite new members and a guest and also people who have referred a friend. It will be the first impression new members have of the club and we just want it to be positive and show what a lovely place it is to be a member.
"If anyone has got any questions, we will have staff on hand and they can put some names to the faces at the club.
"We can let them know essential things, like telling them where the club shop is, where the refreshment facilities are, where we in the offices are based.
"It is just a good way to welcome them and make them feel at home. It's a friendly club and when you join, you might not know many people so it's a chance to make a few early friends.
"One of the main features of why people are a member here is because everyone is so friendly."
Francetti added: "We've got over 150 new members and those are purely new members. There are also people who have been members in the past who have come back so they are not counted in that figure.
"Anyone who wasn't a member last year but has rejoined are also entitled to come.
"The club has changed a lot and if they are coming back after a gap, they wouldn't have seen these new facilities like The View. They are going to have a pleasant surprise.
"From a commercial point of view, any guests that come may see the club and the ground and want to join and be part of it.
"If they want to take a membership out that day, they can do by coming into the office and seeing me."
