Andy Brassington receives PCA Outstanding Contribution Award for Walkers and Talkers initiative
7 October 2022
Former Gloucestershire player Andy Brassington has received the PCA Outstanding Contribution Award for his tremendous work supporting ex-players around him through the community initiative Walkers and Talkers.
Recognised at the PCA’s Annual Awards Dinner 2022, Andy collected the award for his work launching social initiative Walkers and Talkers in partnership with Gloucestershire Cricket.
Walkers and Talkers allows people to come to the Seat Unique Stadium weekly to have a walk, a chat, and listen to a talk from a local personality. The group has grown from 15 in the first session, to regularly attracting numbers of over 100.
The PCA award comes one week after Andy was recognised alongside Steve Lewis by the club, receiving the Community Initiative of the Year Award for Walkers and Talkers at the Gloucestershire End of Season Gala Dinner 2022.
Andy and Steve dedicate huge amounts of time organising the sessions at the Seat Unique Stadium every Wednesday, walking the perimeter of the outfield before funnelling into the Jessop Room to listen to a guest speaker.
Previous speakers include former Gloucestershire bowler and England bowling coach, Jon Lewis, football manager, Ian Holloway, and England international rugby player, Gareth Chilcott.
The weekly sessions offer additional social interaction through the 11am talk in Thatcher’s Café, before the guest speaker begins. Andy initially set up the group for ex-players to regularly meet to avoid social isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic.
On Andy Brassington and the Walkers and Talkers community initiative, Will Brown, Chief Executive, said:
“It is absolutely fantastic to see Andy Brassington recognised at the PCA awards for his ‘Walkers and Talkers’ initiative. It truly is a great idea which has made a real difference to so many people already.
It has been an honour for us to host these events at the Seat Unique Stadium and we are very grateful to Andy, Steve Lewis and all of those that have worked with him on making Walkers and Talkers such an inspirational success.
We look forward to seeing Walkers and Talkers develop further and continue the important role it plays, especially as we enter the often more challenging winter months.
Ideas for community projects are always very welcome and if any supporter has an idea that they would like to discuss with our community team please don’t hesitate to contact us at community@glosccc.co.uk”
Walkers and Talkers meet every Wednesday at 10am at the Seat Unique Stadium.
