COVERED 2025 Spring

3 @TRENTBRIDGE As I write these words in the final weeks of February, the view from my office window is beginning to undergo something of a transformation. Our historic Pavilion is now enclosed by fencing as its re- development begins, and the sights and sounds of tradesmen at work are becoming a familiar backdrop to daily life. After so much discussion and preparatory work over the last few years, I can’t deny a sense of excitement at seeing the first signs of tangible progress. When complete, our redevelopment will deliver a class-leading facility for players and support staff – and a building which still feels like home for you, our members. The Pavilion process has been a concrete reminder that, if success is to be made to last, it may take time for the building blocks to be arranged into place. In this edition of Covered, we hear from two of Nottingham- shire’s freshest faces who hope to be part of the foundations of brighter days on the field. Farhan Ahmed discusses his meteoric rise into the first team at the tender age of 16 and his close-season exploits in England colours, while Rob Lord shares his somewhat unconventional route to earning an opportunity at Trent Bridge – a chance he undoubtedly took with both hands. We also receive first-hand insight from Grace Ballinger into her winter’s work withThe Blaze, and the team spirit that powered the side toT20 glory. Our community features examine the progress being made to ensure supporters from all backgrounds feel welcome at our home, and we also introduce a revitalised approach to junior cricket in the county. And with the future of the Pavilion very much front of mind, heritage volunteer Peter Smith looks back at the fascinating history of the buildings to have stood at the Stuart Broad End over the centuries. While our venue and our sport will always undergo their share of change, some things remain the same, year after year. That sense of anticipation ahead of the first day of the cricketing summer has certainly never left me, and we have much to look forward to in the coming months. Our sporting calendar is as rich and varied as ever, with Nottinghamshire competing on three fronts,The Blaze playing an increased number of fixtures on our turf, visits from England Men andWomen, four double-headers in The Hundred and the return of the Metro Bank One Day Cup Final. I wish the very best to all those involved in bringing those fixtures to life, as well as to our home teams across the men’s and women’s game and those who are spreading the word of cricket across the county. Thank you, as ever, for your invaluable support. Lisa Pursehouse, MBE WELCOME WELCOME