The non-cricketing highlight for the 2014 was undoubtedly the celebration of the 85th anniversary of the first game of cricket on our ground and the commemoration of the centenary of the death of major Arthur Nicholson at Ypres in whose memory the recreation ground was given by his father.
Although atrocious weather on the day made any cricket impossible the service was re-arranged in St. Lawrence Church where the club was delighted to welcome as guest of Honour, our benefactor’s granddaughter, Mrs Pattisson (tracked down by the indefatigable Robin Foster) and the bugler from T.S Brilliant. Simply outstanding.
To mark the occasion a new bench was unveiled by Mrs Pattisson, our president Jack Eames who was present at the first ever game in 1929, together with William and Charlie Thorne whose two great Uncles appear on the 1914/18 memorial plate on the Lych gate. The bench is now located in a prominent position at the recreation ground.