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Historically, the Life Member honour at the club was only awarded for cricket contributions in the 1st XI. The current committee have decided to modernise the honours system. We now want to recognise overall outstanding long term contributions to the club. Running a cricket club involves much more than simply donning a pair of pads. It also involves wielding a bat or chucking down a ball. It was all a wee bit out of date!

At the AGM last month, Gary Armstrong, Elizabeth Armstrong, and Ian Holding were nominated by the management committee. They were unanimously supported by the general membership to be elected as Life Members.

Gary took over as Chair of the club mid year. The club was in a perilous position both on and off the field. Liz took control of the club finances as Treasurer. Through blood, sweat and tears, she helped to turn the club around over 7 years. Together they saw the new build extension, disabled toilets and club refurbishment through to completion. They raised much needed funds due to a funding shortfall. They were at the helm when we raised £33K to relay the playing square which had become uneven. They always led by example. Their strategy was always to make sure the club was volunteer-led. Whenever there were projects to complete that needed people to join, they were always there getting their hands dirty. They prioritized wider community use to help safeguard the club’s future. Both played key roles in attracting new groups to use the club’s facilities. This helped secure funding from awarding bodies.

Gary and Liz were a great team. It’s very unfair to continue to lump their achievements at the club together. I will stop doing that now. They are two outstanding individuals. They throw themselves into every task and role they undertake. The club would not be here today without Gary Armstrong and Liz Armstrong.

Ian Holding was another person elected as a Life Member at the AGM. He did not play his first cricket game until the age of 45 but his contribution to the club has been priceless. He took over as groundsman 25 years ago and has not received a penny in wages – he refuses! (but does keep a running total in his head of how much money the club owes him). It’s not just his preparation of pitches or ground maintenance, or opening and closing the club, or cleaning the gutters, fixing the roof, cleaning the club house and emptying the bins that is so important for the club; he really does embody the spirit of the place. Everyone knows him and he’s one of the most generous and caring individuals you’ll ever meet. He has been refusing the Life Member honour for years because “it’s for old people” and there is plenty of life in the old dog yet however, we are delighted that he has now been elected.

We want to thank Gary, Liz, and Ian for their efforts and support of the club over many years. They set excellent examples for all our current members.