Cricket teas are back on the table across the county border in Sussex following a re-vote by clubs on a previously approved proposal to remove the obligation for home sides to provide such delicacies as cucumber sarnies, a slice of fruit cake and a cuppa at next summer’s 1st Central Sussex Cricket League matches.
The original (confused) decision to effectively ditch teas got national publicity with the BBC, The Times, Piers Morgan and former England captain Michael Vaughan all picking up on the story.
A second poll saw 114 teams vote against the motion, which had originally been met with uproar and overturned the decision to remove the provision of the mid-game meal.
Of the 209 votes, a majority of 114 were cast in favour of the motion, with 82 against. Six clubs abstained and there was seven no votes.
The outcome of the original vote held at the league's Annual General Meeting last Monday (November 23) led to a re-vote, which was conducted by email.
Part of the uproar was caused by the mechanics of the ballot, with those not in attendance at the AGM deemed to have voted in agreement.
Obligation
The first vote saw 114 clubs vote for the removal of tea provision, with 89 against.
New votes received from clubs who did not participate in the first poll were equally for and against second time around. The only votes that changed were from those from sides who had attended the AGM.
A letter from league chairman Gary Stanley read: "On behalf of the executive committee, I can now confirm to you that, following the re-vote, the proposal to remove the obligation of the home club to provide teas in the 2021 season has been defeated.
"For the avoidance of doubt, the rules around teas are therefore UNCHANGED from current rules. This is of course subject to any restrictions that may be imposed due to Covid, which we hope will not be the case.
"As you know, the executive committee did not propose this change and, quite properly, did not express a preference during the voting process.
"However, we recognise that this is an important subject going forward, with valid opinions on both sides. We will be continuing the discussion with clubs over the winter and into next season to try to find a solution that suits everyone. We ask for your assistance in these efforts."
The original (confused) decision to effectively ditch teas got national publicity with the BBC, The Times, Piers Morgan and former England captain Michael Vaughan all picking up on the story.
A second poll saw 114 teams vote against the motion, which had originally been met with uproar and overturned the decision to remove the provision of the mid-game meal.
Of the 209 votes, a majority of 114 were cast in favour of the motion, with 82 against. Six clubs abstained and there was seven no votes.
The outcome of the original vote held at the league's Annual General Meeting last Monday (November 23) led to a re-vote, which was conducted by email.
Part of the uproar was caused by the mechanics of the ballot, with those not in attendance at the AGM deemed to have voted in agreement.
Obligation
The first vote saw 114 clubs vote for the removal of tea provision, with 89 against.
New votes received from clubs who did not participate in the first poll were equally for and against second time around. The only votes that changed were from those from sides who had attended the AGM.
A letter from league chairman Gary Stanley read: "On behalf of the executive committee, I can now confirm to you that, following the re-vote, the proposal to remove the obligation of the home club to provide teas in the 2021 season has been defeated.
"For the avoidance of doubt, the rules around teas are therefore UNCHANGED from current rules. This is of course subject to any restrictions that may be imposed due to Covid, which we hope will not be the case.
"As you know, the executive committee did not propose this change and, quite properly, did not express a preference during the voting process.
"However, we recognise that this is an important subject going forward, with valid opinions on both sides. We will be continuing the discussion with clubs over the winter and into next season to try to find a solution that suits everyone. We ask for your assistance in these efforts."
