Chris Berezai

45 Walton Street

Long Eaton

Nottingham

NG10 1PB

Tel : 0115 – 973 - 1439

Mobile : 0775 – 1604755

WELSH AND HELLENIC LEAGUE GROUNDHOP

25 – 28 August 2006

Dear all

The fifth Welsh Groundhop, to be held in conjunction with the seventh Hellenic League Groundhop, will begin on Friday 25 August 2006. As in 2005, the weekend will feature no fewer than eleven matches over the August Bank Holiday weekend. This year’s Welsh hop features four games from the Thunder Road Motorcycles South Wales Amateur League and one from the Welsh League, whilst the Hellenic League hop has six matches across all three divisions.

Once again we have managed to keep the prices down as low as possible. The overall price for the full weekend remains unchanged from 2005, with Coach prices pegged at 2004 levels, so we can again say that this year’s event offers exceptional value for money!

Please note that the schedule at this point is still provisional, and subject to final confirmation.

We kick off on Friday evening with a trip to Trelewis Welfare (at their OLD ground!) at 6.30pm. On Saturday, our opening match is at Llanharry (10.30am), followed by Cambrian and Clydach (1.30pm), Turberville Arms (3.50pm), and finally Aber Valley YMCA at 6.45pm. Sunday sees us head into the Forest of Dean to visit Harrow Hill (11am), Ross Town (2.30pm), and Pegasus Juniors (6.30pm). Monday begins at Hungerford (11.15am) before we travel to Binfield (3pm) and the hop rounds off at Holyport (6pm)

Coach – IMPORTANT!!

As in previous years, we’ll run the coach to transport hoppers between games, and as in previous years I’m preaching the message that the coach MUST be used if you want the Hop to continue. Last year, I was very pleased with the take up for Wales – indeed it was a complete sell out - but once again the coach bookings for the Hellenic leg were disappointing. This year, with there only being one base for the weekend instead of the usual two, there is more opportunity to leave the car behind, particularly on the Sunday. Therefore, I urge everyone to use the coach. We nearly cancelled the coach this year because of the cost, and you know my rule – no Coach, no Hop. If you want your fix next year, use the coach this year. As an extra incentive, book the coach for the Welsh leg, get £2 off your ticket. Book the coach for either day of the Hellenic leg, get another £2 off your Hellenic ticket. Can’t say fairer than that can I?

There is coach transport on the Friday as well as the rest of the weekend. The coach will pick up at set times on the Friday evening, and Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings from the University, and will transport hoppers back to Treforest in the evenings. On Monday evening, the coach will drop off at Reading Railway station after the final match at Holyport. Arrangements have been made for anyone wishing to leave their cars at Treforest, and car parking, with 24 hour security, will be free. The cost of the coach will be available at a daily rate, but priority will be given to those booking for the full weekend. We will not accept bookings for coach transport only (with no ticket or accommodation) unless there is space at the close of bookings.

Accommodation

For 2006, we will be staying exclusively at the University of Glamorgan at Treforest, and accommodation is at the bargain price of £27 per person per night for Friday and Saturday, which includes full cooked breakfast! Sunday night is at a “room only” rate due to the unavailability of the Catering service on Monday morning, and my refusal to consider “Kellogs To Go”. Breakfast on Monday morning will therefore be at Hungerford!

There is an option of Thursday and Monday nights for those who wish to come down early or go home on the Tuesday (remember that the coach will return to Treforest after the Hellenic Hop). Again, this will be done on a “room only” rate (see “Kellogs To Go”), but as the numbers will be small I think Mair’s café may do some good business on the Friday morning….

Programmes etc

All clubs will be made aware of the number of programmes that will be needed on the day. The number will be based on the bookings we receive, so reserve your copies by booking tickets! Packs will be made up in advance for the Welsh leg ticket holders. Sorry, but there are no extra programme packs this year.

Programmes will be available inside each of the grounds. Programmes will be included in the price of your advance ticket on both hops. Club badges will be available on the day at all clubs, and no doubt lots of other people will be selling things at the grounds too!

Trading

Several traders will be in attendance at the hop. As usual, all the unofficial trading that is part and parcel of a hop is not only welcome, but encouraged!!.

Match Tickets

Tickets are available in advance for both parts of the hop, and these of course guarantee you a programme at each game. Admission is available on the day for those who do not wish to buy tickets in advance. Tickets can be bought for both or either part of the hop.

SAEs

When booking for the Hop, remember to include an A5 Stamped addressed envelope (That’s the normal size of a programme) for your tickets and travel arrangements to be sent out to you. We still have problems with small envelopes in particular – so please let’s have the A5 ones!! Remember – no SAE, no tickets.

Booking and Payment

You may book for either or both of the hops, by completing the attached Booking form. May I look forward to seeing you on the Bank Holiday Weekend!

Chris Berezai

Organiser, Welsh Groundhop, and Administrator, Hellenic Groundhop

Welsh and Hellenic Groundhop – Booking Form

Please give the name, address, contact number and email address of the party leader, along with the names (and email addresses if possible) of the others that form the remainder of your party. These details will be the ones retained on the mailing list for future Hops.

a) Party Leader…………………………………………………. Tel: ……………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………E-mail:…………….………………………..

b) Others booking:…………………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..…

………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Full weekend Number…………..@ £150……….. Total: £………

(4 days coach – 3 nights accommodation – 11 match ticket)

Match tickets: Joint hop tickets Number………….@ £38…………. Total : £………..

Welsh hop tickets Number…………..@ £14…………. Total : £………..

Hellenic Hop tickets Number…………..@ £24………….. Total: £………..

NB: Those booking Coach travel for the Welsh Hop, deduct £2 from the ticket price (you pay £12). Those booking coach travel for either or both days of the Hellenic hop, deduct £2 from the ticket price (you pay £22). Book coach travel for all of the hop and save £4.

Coach Travel: Friday Number………….@ £6 …………… Total: £……….

Saturday / Sunday / Monday Number.………….@ £11 per day……Total: £……….

Accommodation: Friday / Saturday (B&B) Number………….@ £27 per night …Total: £……….

Sunday (Room) Number…………..@ £23……………..Total: £……….

Thursday / Monday (Room) Number…………..@ £23 per night.…..Total: £……….

TOTAL: £………..

Please make cheques payable to “Welsh Groundhop”.

Please remember to enclose an A5 Stamped addressed Envelope. Your booking will not be accepted without one. Please return this form to Chris Berezai, 45 Walton Street, Long Eaton, Nottingham NG10 1PB . E-mail enquiries to groundhopuk@yahoo.com . Telephone enquiries welcome (as long as it’s at a reasonable time), on 0115 – 973 – 1439 or the mobile number, 0775 - 1604755.