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Programme of Meetings for 2012/13

Oct 18 Colin Schindler (Author & supporter) Autumn 2012 The Newsletter of Stourbridge & District Society Founded 1972 Mancunian, Colin wrote the screenplay for Buster and has written and produced television series such as From the Chair Lovejoy, Madson and Wish Me Luck. He won a BAFTA for his production of A Little Princess. His first book A SAD & SORRY END INDEED Manchester United Ruined My Life was short-listed for the William Hill Sports Book of The Year Welcome one and all, new and existing Prize. His second non-fiction book was Fathers, Sons and Football, telling the story of three genera- members to Stourbridge and District Cricket tions of the Summerbee family all of whom played professional football. He also wrote George Best and Let’s not beat about the bush Society. 21 Others. A lifelong and fanatical Lancashire supporter he unashamedly wept at Taunton in September about the relegation issue. Worcestershire got what their What a summer! What can one say of 2011 when Lancashire clinched the . We wonder how he reacted to their relegation ! our English Cricket journey from poor play deserved. Nov 15 Angus Fraser (Middlesex & ) April to September. I know the team suffered injuries Fraser was a classically English seamer, landing ball after ball outside off stump and brilliantly exploiting even and had many days washed out, Incessant rain, a tidal wave of Olym- the slightest hint of uneven bounce - as his record in the Caribbean shows. Ignore the downbeat demeanour: but am I missing something? Did- pic sport, the heavy swell of summer he looked almost as knackered at the start of a spell as he did at the end, and he cared passionately, once run- n't that also happen to neighbours football, mutiny on board, with the ning from the field in tears when England won at . He was omitted after England's disastrous Warwickshire? The was KP shenanigans bringing complete World Cup performance in 1999 and saw out his career at Middlesex. He retired in April 2002 to take up a the crux of the problem. Not only chaos and bad reporting when we needed every bit of good cricket pub- job with The Independent newspaper. were too few runs scored, the licity we could get. batsmen were seldom at the Dec 6 (Wellington & New Zealand) long enough ‘to get their The Foster Graves - [Page 3] Now, as the good ship English A very tall, fit, and enthusiastic all-rounder, Jeremy Coney became an astute . He had appeared in eye in’. Cricket reaches calmer waters, we can Tests against all the other countries before taking over from in Pakistan in 1984/85. Very In years gone by, every team had a see all the damage this has done with determined, he tended to produce his best when the chips were down. Consistent batting, including a record sheet anchor, someone to occupy Pay up! virtually no youngsters playing cricket seventh-wicket stand with Howarth, helped the Kiwis to a shock series victory over West Indies in 1979/80, the crease, see off the opening Subs for 2012/13 are in parks or on waste ground. The but it was not until the first Test against England in 1983/84 that he finally registered a maiden Test century, attack, build an and give now due. The £10 fee complete lack of meaningful publicity confidence to the rest of the side. a painstaking eight-hour match-saving marathon of 174*. He enhanced his reputation by leading New Zea- (£15 per couple at same and promotion by the media must be Nowadays, after Worcestershire a constant concern for the ECB, land to a first series win in England, in 1986. When was felled by a Hadlee at Lord's, it address) has been held for lose their first two , their especially in a summer when South was Coney who permitted England to play two substitute wicketkeepers. He was awarded an MBE in 1986, the 4th year running, but opponents strike for the kill as the must rise soon! Africa were our visitors. and became a successful TV and radio sports commentator and presenter. long tail is exposed. The Treasurer asks that On a much brighter note, Warwick- Details of guests in 2013 will appear in the Christmas edition of View 22 players were used in the cam- paign with only Mitchell and Ali all renewals by made by shire produced plenty of Midland Jan 17 Ron Headley (Worcestershire & West Indies) playing in every Championship post with cheques payable sunshine by winning the County Feb 21 (Derbyshire & England) match. Richardson bowled his to: S&D Cricket Society, Championship in fine style; ironically Mar 21 Matthew Pardoe (Worcestershire) heart out; his 57 wickets were 2 15 Ridge Road, clinching the title at New Road in Apr 11 Richard Bentley (A collector of Glamorgan & Worcestershire memorabilia ) dozen more than next best, Ali, Kingswinford DY6 9RB glorious sunshine, whilst their neighbours Worcestershire suffered a May AGM and nigh on 40 more than Andrew Cards can be collected at who was not the same man after dreary and inevitable return to the All meetings start at 7.30pm (unless stated otherwise) Programme subject to change the following meeting. his winter operation. second division. If in doubt due to severe weather, phone 01384 292170 The team should benefit from at Despite eight Saturday washouts for Newsletter Deadlines least two seasons in Division 2 Welcome to your new some of our local clubs, with many while shattered morale is mended. look newsletter! matches finishing in dreadful weather Deadline for receipt of copy is for each Issue is (Last Friday of Month) It is difficult to see light at the Members are invited to and the consistent rainy Friday eve- Autumn (August) Winter (November) Spring (February) end of the tunnel, unless some contribute their news and nings, when a good many clubs pro- views about cricket. vide junior nets and coaching ses- Preferably all articles should be typed and emailed to the address below hard facts are faced and chal- sions, club cricket looks quite healthy. The editor reserves the right to edit or refuse the publication of any material submitted without further reason. lenging questions answered. Let’s hear from you! The opinions of the editor and contributors are not necessarily shared by the committee. Ö Page 3

Editorial Contact Details: E-Mail: [email protected] Phone: 01384 442244 Send your contributions to: [email protected] / 34a Chawn Hill, Stourbridge DY9 7JB Snail Mail: 34a Chawn Hill, Old Swinford, Stourbridge DY9 7JB The opinions expressed in Boundary View are not necessarily those of Stourbridge Cricket Society Committee Members Dave Nicklin (President) The Stourbridge & District Cricket Society is a member of the Council of Cricket Societies Mike Tomkins (Chairman), Murray George (Secretary), Ken Workman (Treasurer), Terry Church (Meeting Sec) www.sdcs.councilcricketsocieties.com 2 www.sdcs.councilcricketsocieties.com 3

MEMORIES ARE MEDDA THIS! From Page 1 NEWS FROM THE BOUNDARY Obituary Richard Beaumont (33) “You’re playing!” Those two words were I used to nip across and watch longingly as The Birmingham League is again Connect 4 providing a close finish to the collapsed and died while perhaps the most important of the week. It meant the participants took great delight in trying to de- What 3 facts connect the following season with Walsall and Himley fielding for Pedmore CC v that Saturday afternoon would not be spent sitting capitate the batsmen who responded by thrashing four ex-cricketers: vying for top spot as I write. The Astwood Bank CC on 4 on the sidelines, maybe with just the scorebook for the ball to all parts of the netting and schoolyard. Jim Laker, , Derek Shackleton progress at Wombourne is quite August 2012. He had just company, whilst others were able to participate in After a few sessions of watching and fetching the and Richard Illingworth? the joy of that week’s match. ball for the bowlers I was invited to ‘have a go’. remarkable considering all their achieved a five wicket haul, Whenever I plucked up the courage to ask, With no box – though it is doubtful if I pre-season player changes. his best performance since “What’s the team for Saturday?” the answer would would have known its function at that age and less Beethoven on a Banjo! joining the Stourbridge We must not lose sight of all the That was how Neville Cardus once de- club last year. He previ- hopefully be those two words. It was as if the of an idea where to put it – and pads reaching hard work done behind the scenes recipient of the question knew exactly what I really from ankles to thigh, I held the bat about three scribed One Day Cricket! What would he ously played for Romsley & with ground preparation and the Hunnington CC would like to have asked. sizes too large and waddled down to the crease to have made of Twenty20 cricket? spanking new nets a lot of clubs The recipient? For want of a better word, face gentle underarm deliveries. What I failed to now have. Answers to either or both questions on a he was the club general factotum; founder mem- appreciate was that a spin bowler under- Next time you visit Stow pc to Ken Workman (address on page 1) on the Wold, don't miss the ber, ex-captain, secretary, treasurer and grounds- arm can obtain far more purchase on the ball, and Many spectators came out to before the December meeting. Winning man Wilf Dunn. the matting surface would enhance this imparted watch the T20 week at Himley COTSWOLD CRICKET entries may win something for Christmas! MUSEUM in Sheep Street. And the club? The Medda, or more prop- spin even further: and so it was to the great amuse- with rain, unfortunately, ruining erly, Spring Meadow CC based in Old Hill. It was ment, particularly to one Mr. Priest to see my be- the Friday night final. Lost Grounds of the Black Country Admission is £4.50 which then a well-established club playing one match on wilderment as the ball shot past me to both left There are some talented players It is my intention to publish a book about includes a coffee plus 50p a Saturday each week and several midweek 20-over and to right. performing in the Worcestershire the lost cricket and football grounds (and donation to Bunbury’s, the games. (Never on a Sunday as Wilfred was lay It was only when I had left school some Leagues, supported by hard work- clubs) of the south area of the Black cricket charity. Open daily reader at the parish church and cricket was not ten years later that I would go along on Saturday ing committees. I know only too Country. (closed Mondays) 10-5 played without Wilf). All matches were of the afternoon to watch with the hope that someday I well, after a week at work, that If you have any memories or photos that “Send the missis to nearby friendly variety, which didn’t mean we were not would be invited to participate. Then one glorious they pray for dry Saturdays. may help, please contact me: Scott’s of Stow while you bothered about winning, but we did not play for day the Medda were a man short and I was des- 07974 428261 [email protected] enjoy a fascinating hour!” We are very fortunate to have the ‘The Town Hall Steps’. However having witnessed patched to collect a pair of pumps (no trainers Terry Church Ken Workman some of the antics of the said Mr. Dunn, I some- then). Nor did I own any whites. Stourbridge Cricket Club as our venue, welcoming a fine line-up times wondered. Nothing as blatant as cheating – I was invited to bat at number eleven and A Remarkable Man - A Biography of George Chesterton that would have been just not cricket – but defi- of speakers this winter. I look at about 4.30 I strode rather tentatively to the Former Hampshire cricketer and teacher at , Andy nitely irregular, and all done so apologetically. forward to seeing very few empty wicket and took guard from Mr. Dunn who was Murtagh pays tribute to a fine cricketer of the 1950s who bowled for The ground in Garratts Lane was small, chairs, a great atmosphere and the , who else, and I was away. The player Worcestershire in holiday time. The book’s title justifies the tale of the bounded on one side by a huge ash bank and on plenty of questions from the floor at the other end was Ted Vigar, who took great wartime pilot, Varsity cricketer who became the county’s president and the other by the Old Hill to Dudley branch line as we continue to learn more delight in clouting the ball half way up the ash later leader of Malvern Civic Society. Inevitably his playing days are only and High Street Halt. The first time I ever saw the about cricket. bank, over the railway or crashing into the corru- part of a bigger, fascinating story. A Christmas gift suggestion! ground I would have been aged about 7 or 8, mak- gated iron sheets which made up the boundary. I Mike Tomkin Published by Shire Books at £25 Ken Workman ing ‘exploration forays’ with school mates. We managed not to get out, scoring an unbelievable were amazed to see this oasis of green in what was 33. What unique event occurred in the match between Somerset & Worcestershire in September 2012? then a grey and dirty landscape. We carefully noted I cannot remember the outcome of the Answer will appear in the next edition of Boundary View a central area which was roped off, and an ‘old game, or how I fielded after a legendary ‘Medda gentleman’ busily plying a motor mower around Tea, but it was my introduction to club cricket and The Foster family the field. That would have been Wilf. I was hooked. I am researching the Foster family The Foster Graves - A Restoration Project In those days we played cricket at primary It took some time to be regarded as a school using Bearmore playing fields. My school regular player when I was able to hear those im- I would appreciate any items of interest concerning The graves in Malvern Cemetery include those of did not benefit from a teacher who played the mortal words ,“YOU’RE PLAYING!” two of the brothers’ experiences in Birmingham Rev H Foster, his wife Sophie, and three of their 10 game, as did Corngreaves School who had Sammy Richard Greaves League cricket, viz., children: ’Tip’, Maurice and the youngest daughter Jackson and Aubrey Bishop-Rowe, both connected R.E. ‘Tip’ Foster played one season for Stourbridge. Cicely, who played golf for England and died in to the Medda, but it did provide me with an intro- M.K. Foster played many years for Walsall and West childbirth in 1913. duction to the game. Then I found out that on Share your cricket memories on this page! Bromwich Dartmouth. Friday evenings in the summer a net session took Send your story to the address shown on page 4 I have details of first-class cricket played by the seven Anyone interested in helping or wishing to contrib- place in the playground of the local school. brothers, but any other contributions will be very ute towards the cost of the project is asked to much appreciated; please contact: please contact: Anthony Collis 01384 442244 [email protected] 34a Chawn Hill, Stourbridge DY9 7JB