Chairman’s Fun Day
The sun shone on the Chairman’s Fun Day on Sunday 17th August, despite gloomy forecasts and heavy rain during the week. Dave Sheppard was out preparing the wicket at 10 o’clock, and Alan Chidley was already setting up his LP table and video equipment. Armand and Yolandi Nel dragged themselves out of bed and hitched a lift to the ground with pots, pans and bags of great food, which became very evident later in the day. Club chairman Gerry Bloomfield, recently returned from holiday in France, was surprised to find his old Headstone mate, Mark Bromfield, already at the ground and raring to start - eating, that is!
As people started arriving, jobs were found for most, such as putting up the “gazebo” – a collection of disjointed metal poles in 2 big bags – which defeated the combined efforts of several great brains, who claimed that there were no angle pieces, no roof, and no need anyway! That was soon packed away again. The barbeque was fired up and Big Nelly started to add undefined meat, spices and gravy to his South African stew pot – that certainly got the juices flowing. Young Fraser Rallison was entrusted with the video camera whilst Howard and Robin Willis provided the sound system, and soon the Hits of the Seventies were booming out over Saddlers Mead. As far as I know, nobody complained! Unfortunately, Alan’s gramophone didn’t have the necessary speaker lead to let us hear his Al Jolson LPs, but Alan did provide headphones if you wanted to listen to his collection privately.
The first game started at 12 noon, and involved all 22 potential players who were there at the time. Gerry’s team comprised of Ian Schmid, Bill Lang, Fraser Rallison, Robin Willis, Mark Bromfield, Graham Price, Brian Jones and John Buckley (these 3 kindly on free loan from Grimsdyke CC, courtesy of our joint President), Paddy Sodha, David Isham and the chairman himself, (the 12th man Martin Isham was not required but kept score). We batted first and put on 99 for 6 in 20 overs. The smell of hot Saffy food was now enhanced by Miren Shah’s veggie curry and samosas, heating up nicely. So Steve Jary’s Parkfield Legends side got the pads on and prepared to knock off the runs quickly. The team truly was full of legends – Danny Beckley, Jamie Wallis, Dave Nockles (who was given out LBW by joint President Barry Golding – yes LBW! Seriously, thanks for umpiring, Barry!), Simon McDonald, James Ezzard (a well known ringer), Sylvan Hunte, Steve Jary, Vic Mayers, Alan Dutch, Lionel Cummins and Michael (Maccie’s mate). But instead of a swift 100 and then lunch, it was only 2 leg byes off the last ball of the 20th over which brought up the three figures, again for the loss of 6 wickets. And we still don’t know what would have happened if they had got only one and the match was tied….
This was actually a great game of 20/20, but nobody really cared, because lunch was now being served by Yolandi, who enhanced her reputation as “Caterer of the Season” in Saracens league cricket. And Armand and Miren too – great grub, guys, and a highlight of the day for those who arrived early enough to partake.
By now other venerable personages had appeared – Malcolm Dearlove, Dennis Barker and Ken Hall from the old Headstone teams; Steve Furlong, Kenny McDonald, Bill Hopkins and Rene Burnside from Parkfield. So, with the bar open, a delightful afternoon stretched ahead.
Unsurprisingly, game 2 was reduced to 15/15, with the hope of another 15/15 to follow. The chairman’s side got another chance against a team captained by Tim Powell or Nainesh Shah – I’m not too sure who claimed the role. They were joined by Suleman H, Suleman K, Suleman N and Sunil (again from Grimsdyke) Tim Garnons-Williams, Dipak Shah, Dave Sheppard, Nim Patel and Kamal Mistry. These “youngsters” posted a formidable 117 in 15 overs and Gerry’s team fell short by some 30 runs in the chase.
By now big screen football had claimed the attention of some, and the clouds had gathered, so it was decided to get the barbie under way and round off the event with convivial chat over a glass or two during the evening. Yolandi’s sandwiches and cakes quickly disappeared, and the queue for grilled steak and veggie burgers grew around Big Nelly’s corner of the patio making him the most popular bloke of the day. He and Yolandi again showed their attention to detail and commercial acumen (ahem, ahem) by providing excellent food at realistic prices.
When the football ended, Alan was quick to put on the video of the day’s proceedings, and he was ecstatic when he sold 3 LPs to Lucy, making £1.50 profit for the club, plus a promise from Nim and Charly to help market the remaining records on eBay later. A club tie was purchased for £15 (cheque to me please Malcolm), and Steve Jary showed interest in a cap but the salesman didn’t secure the transaction – there is still plenty of stock if anyone wants to make contact!
I'm grateful too to club photographer Pete Ford had helped to organize the event, but he was away for the day, so we have no official pictures. If anyone has some snaps, do please send them in. I know I haven’t mentioned everybody who was there, so can I use this paragraph to apologise for glaring exceptions and errors, and to point out that batting and bowling figures have not been recorded on the website for the averages. That said, well done to Ian, Mark and Robin, Jamie, Steve, Sylvan and James, “K”, Dipak, TGW and Nainesh for getting more than 10 with the bat, and to Dutchy and Vic, David, Paddy, Brian (man of the match performance of 5 for 19 for the losing side. I won't tell anybody if you record them in Grimsdyke's season figures!), Ian, Mark and Robin, Kamal, Nainesh and Nim for taking wickets. A special word of appreciation for the support we get from our ladies and children, and finally many heartfelt thanks to all other club members and spectators, for turning up and making this such a special day – I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did. Plans are already being made for 2009’s event, on a weekend when perhaps even more people can come along, so that hopefully we can match the great time we all had this year.
Cheers
Gerry
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