And Micky Stewart OBE Firstl

LCS Meeting Thursday 6th February. Stephen Chalke and Micky Stewart OBE Stephen Chalke (on the left) and Micky Stewart OBE Firstly, on behalf of all the LCS committee. We wish to thank everyone present on Thursday night, for their patience and understanding, which was being so severely tested, with our guest speakers, losing their way, to Grace Road, and arriving half an hour late. However this did give you all good time to chat with friends and the other people sitting around, mainly on the subject of, the turmoil the England Cricket Team and management seem to be getting into. Howard a little belatedly introducing our guest speakers On a very wet and very miserable February night over 180 member’s, guests and visitors braved the wind and rain, to be at Grace Road, for one of the legends of English cricket, and what I considered to be the highlight of this winters magnificent programme, put together by Roger. As Howard said, Roger is now working on speakers, to keep us all entertained next winter. Stephen and Micky came along to talk about the book, written and published by Stephen Chalke, about the career and thoughts of Micky Stewart, entitled, Micky Stewart and the changing face of cricket. Stephen told us, that as these elder statesmen, of English cricket, get older, their thoughts and ideas, need to be documented, or they will be lost for all time. In Howards introduction of the two speakers he commented on the cricketing career of Micky, saying, that he had played for Surrey, from 1954 until 1972, captaining the team for 10 seasons from 1963 till 1972, a lot of players seem to be on the move from county to county after a couple of seasons nowadays, and could you imagine, one player, leading his side for 9 years, in modern cricket. But the figure that really got me, was, that Micky, had taken six hundred and thirty five catches, in his career, mainly at short leg. Micky then went on to manage the Surrey Cricket team for another 7 years, from 1976 until 1983, showing his outstanding commitment to one county. Mickey then went on to be manager of the England team from 1986 until 1992 and an ECB coach from 1992 until 1997. No wonder then, Stephen Chalke, wanted to write a book, about Micky Stewart’s thoughts on the game. Stephen told us that, Micky, started his time with Surrey in the 1940’s, playing in the, Young Amateurs of Surrey team. Micky, still watches cricket at all levels, including club cricket, where he still looks for talented young cricketers for Surrey. Alan, one of the first of the Cow Corner Crowd, to take up his fielding position Stephen went on to tell us that Mickey was in the great Surrey County team of the 1950’s, Stephen said at present he is writing a book about the County Championship, and in his opinion that 1950’s Surrey line up, was the greatest County Cricket side there h-as ever been, winning 7 county championships in a row, just think, three day matches, uncovered wickets and all 18 counties in one division.++ Stephen then handed over to Micky Stewart to talk to the audience. His opening comment was, in Howard’s introduction, I was considered ahead of my time in planning, as we were 35 minutes late that might not be right. Even before Angie, Jean and David had finished setting up the book stall members were busy looking for new additions to add to their collections. Good to see some of the founder members of the front row four enjoying the night. Stephen Chalke about to hand over to Micky Stewart As you can see not many spare seats for Micky Stewart’s talk This is Pete Lamb, a friend of mine, who came all the way from Wednesbury in the west midlands to hear Micky Stewart speak. (I like the new beard, mate) Micky told us a story concerning his son, Alec. Sky did a piece on father and sons, who both played cricket and both then played for England. After the filming had taken place, the presenter asked, well come on, now the cameras have stopped, who was the best player between you two. Alec said, 141 test appearances in the family, and I got 133 of those, who do you think. Micky then went on; well I’ve got something to say about that, I never had a DADDY who picked the side. Thanks to the efforts of Angie Pollard, Jean and David Williamson the book stall has raised over £200 towards LCS funds. This money and your generous support of the raffle, allow the LCS to afford top class speakers. like Stephen and Micky (unlike Stephen’s other appearance in the east midlands) Micky telling us about his son, Alec and Stephen listening to the tale Because the speakers were late in arriving it was decided to run the raffle at the start of the evening, so saving time later. As always I want to thank everyone for their continuing support. This month the raffle raised £127, the running total now stands at £894.for the 7 meetings that have taken place so far this winter. We have had over 1000 people attend these meetings, a number that I think you will agree demonstrates how well the LCS is doing. I want to thank Ken and Glenys, Margaret and Richard, who helped take the raffle books around at the meeting, I was busy trying to contact the speakers. Margaret and Richard In last month’s report I spelt GLENYS’s name wrong (sorry) but she forgave me after winning the 1996 county championship print Margaret is looking at the Micky Stewart book. Thanks again all, for your help Ken as you can see the HOT WATER BOTTLE was left till the very end Micky told the audience that his first ever visit to Grace Road, was the Leicestershire v Surry match when Charles Palmer took eight wickets for no runs, Micky said he was the first of those eight. Micky answering question, I think this one was about the England team Owing to the delayed start, the usual running order for our meetings had to be slightly rearranged, instead of the normal break and then a Q&A session. There was only a very short stoppage, then Micky and Stephen carried on with their talk but they were taking questions at the same time. Stephen being asked a question about his book on Micky After a bad start, the evening turned into a success, with everyone enjoying the talk, I would like to see Micky Stewart, come back again, and talk about the great players of the 1950’s that he played with and against. Quite a few members asked, where Margaret and Michael Richardson were, as they seldom miss our meetings. Michael has been very poorly and is still in hospital. I’m sure Margaret sends her thanks to all those people who gave Michael their best wishes for a quick recovery. On behalf of the membership Roger Stead gave the vote of thanks. Another feather in Roger’s cap for supplying us with yet one more great night out. Roger Stead who gave the vote of thanks Our next meeting is on Thursday 6th March, when Derek Brewer, MCC Secretary and CEO, will be the speaker. This will be the final meeting of the winter. Phil Veasey on behalf of the LCS committee .

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