New cricket society off to a good start

Posted by Tony Hutton

Last night saw the first meeting of the newly formed Pennine Cricket Society at Golcar cricket club, Huddersfield. Peter Davies, with the help of several willing helpers, has set up this new venture and it got off to the best possible start. This was despite the poor weather and the problems of finding the new venue, both for the speaker who was slightly delayed and for one potential member who gave up and turned round when approaching Saddleworth and returned to Leeds by a very roundabout route.

A real shame that, particularly in view of the excellent cricket tea laid on before the proceedings started. Good to see so many familiar faces, and some new ones, among the audience.

The star turn was of course the inimitable Alan Stuttard, who is fast becoming the Ken Dodd of the cricket speakers' world. His memories of a lifetime of cricket in the Central Lancashire League, and all the big names who have played there, was a real treat. His oft told story of the Everton Weekes cup final of 1954 improves with age.

His biggest claim to fame as a player was hitting the one and only Garfield Sobers for four sixes and for the benefit of those cynics who just could not believe it, brought along a press cutting to prove it.

So a great night for the cricket lovers who turned out to support this new venture and full marks to Peter and his helpers. The next meeting will be held on Thursday 17th November, again at Golcar cricket club, when David Cooper will have more tales of cricket on the 'wrong' side of the Pennines and his association with Royton cricket club.

Membership of the new society is available for the modest charge of £8 for the six meetings, or £2 per meeting, which includes the cost of the cricket tea.