Community Relations

MCC plays an active role in the life of the area around Lord's. In recent years, in particular, it has stepped up its efforts to ensure that Lord's makes a great and growing contribution to the local community (as well as the local economy).

MCC has taken five main measures to bring this about. First, it now publishes a community newsletter, Local to Lord's, at least twice yearly - with each edition being delivered to all those living closest to the Ground. With articles about future events, forthcoming matches and ground improvement projects, MCC believes that the newsletter plays a key role in keeping local residents properly informed about Lord's.

Secondly, MCC has convened a special consultative group which consists of local residents, local businesspeople and members of both the St John's Wood Society and the St Marylebone Society. Formed in June 2003, this stakeholders' group meets every three months to discuss a wide range of issues. In its first two meetings, for example, the subjects ranged from local parking arrangements on major matchdays to the future of the Lord's Tavern. (Its next meeting will take place in mid-December.)

Thirdly, MCC invites members of the local community to see 'The Home of Cricket' for themselves during the course of each cricket season. This year, for example, MCC provided local residents with 500 free tickets to Middlesex's two Twenty20 fixtures at Lord's.

Fourthly, MCC stages an annual carol concert, at Lord's, to which local residents (and MCC Members) are invited. Staged for the first time in 2001, 'An Evening of Carols' has quickly established itself as one of the most enjoyable pre-Christmas events in St John's Wood - and an important fund-raiser, too. 2006's concert took place in the Long Room, with The London Chorus leading the singing. St John's Hospice, in Grove End Road, received the evening's proceeds, which amounted to around £1,500.

Finally, MCC has stepped up its efforts to introduce more local children to cricket. For example, Westminster schoolchildren have been invited to visit Lord's, free, to watch a number of games - from Test matches to MCC fixtures. In addition, MCC works closely with Capital Kids Cricket and stages a children's cricket festival at Lord's every summer. More generally, MCC works in partnership with the London Schools Cricket Association throughout the year, with the LSCA making extensive use of MCC's Indoor Cricket School on a regular basis. Indeed, many other groups - including blind and disabled cricketers - are given free or concessionary use of the Indoor School in arrangements which are worth around £130,000 per year.

Looking to the future, MCC is keen to continue improving its communications with the local community and welcomes ideas about it can achieve this goal. In addition, the Club gives careful consideration to its neighbours' suggestions about changes which could reduce the amount of inconvenience that is caused on major matchdays. For example, following a discussion during the first meeting of the stakeholders' group, MCC has been encouraging matchday spectators to use a variety of Tube stations when they leave the local area - rather than St John's Wood station alone.

Any such suggestions should be sent to: Community Relations, MCC, Lord's Cricket Ground, St John's Wood, London NW8 8QN.