END OF SEASON SOCIETY LUNCH
The Worcestershire Cricket Society end of season lunch will take place on Sunday, October 2 in the 1865 Lounge at New Road.
Tickets are priced £21 and can be purchased from Society secretary Ann Mullen (email annmullen1935@gmail.com)
Worcestershire CCC's popular skipper and 2016 beneficiary Daryl Mitchell will be the guest speaker at the lunch which has a 12.30 for 1pm start.
ANNUAL MEETING REPORT
Worcestershire Cricket Society held their annual general meeting in the Graeme Hick Pavilion with former player, club chairman and club president John Elliott the guest speaker.
Society president, the Reverend Mike Vockins, opened the meeting and asked for a minute's slience in honour of Mike Niccolls – a founder member of the Society – and Society member Roy Woodcock who sadly have both passed away.
Chairman Bill Tansell and Secretary Ann Mullen said in their respective reports that the Society had enjoyed an excellent year with the new Society newsletter being well received and the two-day trip to Manchester in April being a great success (see the previous newsletter for details).
John Curtis and Mike Hitchings were thanked for their efforts in making these respective ventures a success.
The Society had also purchased a shield to be presented to the Society Player Of The Year and this was presented to Joe Leach at the end of season awards night at New Road.
Treasurer Richard Shaw reported a small profit of £34.71 and the Society's balance in its bank account at March 31, 2016 was £4,377.29p
Some one-off payments had been made, including £500 for one of the new 150th Anniversary Walk paving slabs on the Worcestershire Way leading up to the main entrance in The View, and £90 for the new Society Player Of The Year shield.
Expenses had also increased via sending out the new newsletters by post to any member who did not possess an email address.
Expenditure for our winter speakers was down by £250 as four of the six speakers made no charge for their services.
John Elliott gave an excellent talk incorporating his many experiences from joining the playing staff at New Road in the late 1950s through to his eight year spell as club chairman from 1998 to 2006 and his time as club president before he was succeeded last year by Lord Mervyn King of Lothbury.
John spoke about his days as a wicket-keeper, mainly in the County second eleven, and how difficult it was to break into the first team with Roy Booth being the first choice keeper.
He also recounted his time playing in the Birmingham League for Worcester City.
It was former chairman Duncan Fearnley who invited John to join the Worcestershire CCC committee and eventually he became chairman himself.
John told of his great friendship with the D'Oliveira family and was delighted to see Brett making an impact in the first team this summer.
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WINTER DATES
It is always a sad moment when the cricket season comes to an end but one consolation is that the winter months herald the start of the Cricket Society cricket evenings on the second Tuesday of each month, either in the Graeme Hick Pavilion or 1865 Lounge.
Here is a reminder of the excellent and varied list of speakers arranged by secretary Ann Mullen for the 2016-2017 programme:
October 2016 – former Derbyshire CCC cricketer Tony Borrington
November 2016 – cricket book author Stephen Chalke
December 2016 – the Pyemont Brothers presentation of the history of the Ashes
January 2017 – A Worcestershire CCC player (to be confirmed at a later date)
February 2017 – former Warwickshire cricketer and ex Northamptonshire chief executive David Smith.
March 2017 – cricket book author and journalist Brian Scovell
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LORD'S DINNER FOR DARYL MITCHELL BENEFIT YEAR
One of the marquee functions of Worcestershire skipper Daryl Mitchell's benefit year is a dinner in the famous Long Room at Lord's on Thursday, November 3.
Former England players Geoff Miller, Angus Fraser and Alec Stewart are the guest speakers.
Tickets cost £200 and the package includes one hour pre dinner drinks reception with unlimited house wine, beer and soft drinks, a three course dinner with coffee and petits four and a half bottle of house wine per person.
Nearer to home, an Indian curry-themed night in the Chestnut Marquee, New Road, Worcester on Friday 12 August promises to be a fantastic night of fun.
With proceeds from the evening going to Daryl’s benefit year, guests will be treated to a two-course Indian feast (vegetarian and non-curry options are also available) served by the county’s star players.
Top vocalist Laura McFee alongside popular local group Wilf's Carnival Band will provide the music and comedians Frankie Peoples and Freddie Farell will ensure everyone is entertained.
Doors open at 7.00 pm for a 7.30 pm start. The fun and frolics go on until midnight and the price is £25 per person.
Then two days later (August 14) a pie and pint evening is being held in aid of Daryl's benefit at the King Charles House, Worcester from 7.30pm to midnight.
Enjoy a pie & mash supper and a pint in one of Worcester’s most historic buildings whilst players from both Worcestershire and Glamorgan field questions from a mystery interviewer and then take part in a friendly sports quiz. All for £20 per person.
For all these functions, to book tickets or for further information contact Mark Ashbourne via email at mitchbenefit2016@gmail,com or on 07506 747619
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SOCIETY ATTRACTS NEW MEMBERS
We are delighted to announce that several new members have joined the Society since the 2015-2016 programme of events came to an end.
The Society would like to extend a warm welcome to the follow new members and hope you enjoy being part of some enjoyable winter evenings and other activities.
1) Michael, Jean & Stephan Bloomer
2) Sarah Johnstone
3) Barrie Joule
4) Michael & Gilly Lindley
5) Brian & Liz Norfolk
6) Nigel & Dot Sharp
7) Brian & Ruth Shearer
8) David Sturges
9) Meg Wilkinson
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POSSIBLE SUSSEX-HAMPSHIRE TRIP IN 2017
Worcestershire Cricket Society committee member Mike Hitchings is already looking at possibilities for a two day – or possibly thee day trip – for 2017 after the outstanding success of the Manchester trip in April.
Mike has been investigating the feasibility-expenditure of a trip incorporating visits to both Hampshire CCC and Sussex CCC.
This is still in its early stages, and yet to be discussed formally by the Society committee, but we will be endeavour to pass on any information as soon as it becomes available.
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MEMBERSHIP PRICES FROZEN
A reminder that the Cricket Society have frozen membership prices for the 2016-2017 winter programme of meetings.
The membership subscription will remain at £15 for a single member and £20 for a double membership.
Non Cricket Society members as always are welcome to attend for an admission fee of £3 per evening.
