As 2017 continues to fly by and the clocks go back (why?) some news to keep members informed of the never ending work that goes on behind the scenes to keep BHCC moving forward.
The Awards season is upon us and a number of individuals have had their efforts recognise.
Kyle Coetzer received the 2017 NEPL Player of the Year Trophy at the League Dinner last week
Max Williamson received the Northumberland U17 Player of the Year Trophy awarded by the Umpiring brethren.
On the team front, Andrew Dawson collected the Second Team Championship Trophy which is now proudly on display behind the bar.
At the Cricketing Oscar awards held at Lords in October two of our members received recognition for their unstinting efforts. Phil Haves was the recipient of the Northumberland Services to Club award whilst Bruce Storey received the national award for services to coaching. BHCC is truly fortunate to have a host of people who volunteer so much of their time to make our Club special.
As soon as the actual playing of the game is over the `meeting season` moves into overdrive – at some of these gatherings we even discuss cricket. Barry Pearson is the undoubted king of the Hill when it comes to the countback closely followed by the Hon. Secretary Keith Shaw.
Barry has emerged triumphant from the bureaucratic nightmare of securing Club Mark for the next three years. This is the governing body quality kite mark that shows we have all the correct policies and procedures in place. One aspect of this that social media `savvy` members will have picked up is a Facebook driven consultation process we have instigated. On this front if you have anything you wish to raise please contact me by e-mail on simon.lunn@live.co.uk or call 07791 683827.
Some of the meetings I have been to lately concern the ongoing maintenance of the Club. Geoff Chambers (b.t.w. responsible for the work that saw BHCC become the best dressed NEPL ground in Northumberland in 2017) and me have painted the away changing room and Joe Kilpatrick has fixed the seats in there and fixed the `flying bat` holes in the walls. Barry Evans has (fingers crossed) tackled the leaking roof and is to further address some of the heating issues that have plagued the Club House for seemingly ever. My thanks to everyone who makes a contribution on this front.
Needless to say finance continues to be a cause for concern. Everything seems to cost a small fortune whether it is insurance, loam, the alarm system or machinery servicing and our reserves have taken a hit not least through the costs of converting the Club into a Community Interest Company. All unavoidable and life would be even tougher without the tireless efforts of Larry Dawson in his role as Treasurer supported by Bills Smalley and Watts.
However, there are many reasons to be cheerful –admittedly not my default demeanour- I walked into the Club on Saturday afternoon and it was awash with Halloween celebrating children and their families. Truly an epic event organised by Sophie Kilpatrick and Annabel Marley. An evening event and a Valentine Family Christening followed and there were springs in the steps of the Treasurers on Monday morning.
Equally on Monday evening there was an excellent Junior Presentation organised as ever by Barry Pearson. For me the best thing about that night is that we recognise great men of Benwell Hill`s past – Tom Hounsome, Alan Evans and Neil Hamilton whilst awarding prizes to those that represent the future. As an aside, Will Gidman ex Durham and currently of Kent CCC came along to present awards and could not have been a better representative of his profession.
Enough for now dear reader – I will endeavour to produce something on a monthly basis but in the meantime if you have anything to offer in terms of taking BHCC forward please do not hesitate to get in touch. The Annual Dinner on Saturday 11 November at 7.15 pm is the next big occasion – please attend if you can.
Simon Lunn
