Worcestershire Batting Coach-Second Eleven Coach Kevin Sharp was the guest speaker when Worcestershire Cricket Society recently held their AGM in the Graeme Hick Pavilion.
Sharp gave an excellent insight into his lengthy career in the game spanning more than four decades as player and then coach with Yorkshire, Shropshire and now at New Road.
He spoke of his affinity with Worcestershire stretching back to scoring 260 not out for England Young Cricketers and how he came close to signing for the County after losing his place in the Yorkshire side.
Sharp revealed how he was convinced from an early age of Joe Root's abilities when coach with Yorkshire and that the pair have stayed in touch ever since.
He also has high hopes of the current crop of young talent at New Road, not only in the current first team squad but emerging through the Academy ranks.
Worcestershire Cricket Society president Mike Vockins posed the questions in a throwback to when he quizzed guests on such evenings for 27 years during his spell as secretary-chief executive with the County.
There was a general feeling afterwards that Sharp had been one of the best speakers in recent years and had created a very favourable impression of the work he does for Worcestershire.
Mike Vockins also chaired the AGM ahead of Sharp's contribution and best wishes were sent to Cricket Society chairman Bill Tansell who sadly recently suffered a stroke and is currently in Evesham Hospital.
Members stood for a short silence in honour of former Supporters' Association chairman and keen Cricket Society follower, Ken Mills, and long-serving member John Talbot who rarely missed a meeting after the sadly both passed away during the past 12 months.
Outgoing treasurer Richard Shaw reported that expediture (£13,337,81p) exceeded incone (£12,956.00p) for the period April 1 2016 to March 31 2017 – a difference of £381.81p.
But the Society are still in a healthy state financially with a bank balance of £3.461.48p as of March 31, 2017.
Payments and expenses for speakers at the winter cricket evenings increased from £548.96 to £1,406,69p with three of them requiring overnight accommodation.
A donation of £250.00p was also made to opening batsman Daryl Mitchell's 2016 benefit year.
The three-day trip to Sussex and Hampshire in early April was a success as a venture but also on a financial basis with income totalling £9.287.00p and expenditure coming to £,9.207.00p
There was a vote of thanks to Cricket Society committee member Mike Hitchings who organised the trip so efficiently and cost effectively after many hours of work.
Richard Shaw announced that he is standing down as treasurer after four years due to his heavy and commitments in another role as chairman of the Battle Of Worcester Society.
Mike Vockins gave thanks to Richard for "the capable way you have stewarded our finances and the way you presented them at the AGM."
He was presented with an honorary life membership of the Society as a thank you for his efforts and the good news is that Richard will remain a member of the Cricket Society committee.
Mike Hitchings has agreed to become the new Cricket Society treasurer alongside his already significant role as trip organiser.
Anthony Collis has stood down as a member of the Cricket Society with Mike Vockins thanking him for his contribution.
But the Cricket Society are delighted to welcome two new members to the committee in John Meredith and Trish Dyson after their election was endorsed by members.
The individual membership fee to join the Cricket Society will remain unchanged for 2017-2018 at £15 which entitles people to attend all six winter cricket evenings from October to March.
But it was agreed to increase the cost of a double membership from £20 to £25 for 2017-2018.
The meeting ended with the date of the end of season Cricket Society lunch at New Road being confirmed for Sunday, October 1.
