Sussex Cricket Society

Thanks to the pandemic, government restrictions and the committee’s concern for the safety of our members, 2021 was an on-off sort of year, mostly off.

The committee met throughout the early part of the year using Zoom and noted with regret the resignation of Richard Barrow who has contributed much from his long experience of cricket in Sussex.

In May 2021 we were shocked to learn of the death of our much-valued treasurer Jim Grinsted, a great loss as a committee member and friend. Terry Burstow, well-known to cricket supporters throughout the county, was kind enough to put his name forward and has been duly appointed treasurer.

Although the 2020 Annual General Meeting had to be cancelled, our 2021 AGM was the first member meeting for Autumn/Winter 2021-22. Some important matters were approved by members, who also noted that in 2021 the committee had awarded the purchase of a second Lobster ball-catching machine to Sussex youngsters and the purchase of 13 deck chairs in Sussex colours for the BACA Cricket Academy, all from the Whenman Bursary.

Vice-Presidencies were approved for Roger Oakes [carried over from the cancelled 2020 AGM], Jon Filby and Malcolm Reid, our longstanding Honorary Auditor. An increase in the membership fee to £20 [£25 for family membership] was approved as was the transition of the longestablished Garden Party to a Presidents’ Day to be held in conjunction with Sussex Cricket. Tom Haines was awarded Cricketer of the Year, for his very successful batting performances.

The AGM was followed by a fascinating discussion between our president David Bowden and the Sussex chairman Bob Warren, mainly focusing on the 2021 playing season. This was followed in late October by the now famous Autumn Lunch with guest speakers Fred Rumsey and Stephen Chalke.

An excellent meal provided by our caterers Sodexo was followed by a most entertaining dialogue from the Morecambe & Wise of the cricket world. In November we were privileged to hear from Sir Rod Aldridge who gave a very professional presentation of the work of the Brighton Aldridge Community Academy which is based at Falmer and which has been appointed a training hub by MCC.

This is an invaluable opportunity for state school youngsters who wish to develop as cricketers, and it is also the home of Sussex women and girls’ cricket. Our final 2021 meeting was in December and saw another amusing presentation in the form of a question and answer between Ian Gould and Bruce Talbot. Ian spoke both about his autobiography ‘Gunner’, his time as a player and coach and his subsequent career as a first-class and international umpire. Ian was especially interesting on the difference between “banter” and “sledging”.

All in all, the Society managed to keep progressing in 2021 despite the difficult times.

David Harrison

Chairman

FORMER CAPTAIN IAN GOULD WAS A POPULAR GUEST AT ONE OF OUR Q&AS DURING THE WINTER

THE SUSSEX SQUADS IN THEIR CHAMPIONSHIP, ONEDAY CUP AND BLAST KITS AHEAD OF THE 2022 SEASON.