Having been elected as Chairman in 2017 the following represents my 9th such submission to the Membership of BHCC.
I will start by recording my personal sorrow at the death of our long standing Secretary Keith Shaw in November 2024. As a player, as an Administrator but most of all as a genuine cricket lover and funny man Keith is already hugely missed. The place will not be quite the same in 2025 without Keith lapping the ground and holding court in the bar.
On this note Keith had strong opinions about the extreme disappointment of the First X1 being relegated from the Premier Division for the first time. The Club had come close once or twice in the past but this time there was to be no escape and we will take our place in Division 1 when the season starts in April. Fortune certainly did not favour the team and it was a huge handicap when the Overseas Professional went back to India with seven games to go. Yash Kothari would have more than likely smashed the Club`s Batting Records as he was a magnificent player but there is a risk in employing Overseas Professionals from some parts of the world due to the changing nature of First Class Playing Schedules.
Relegation was followed by some younger players leaving which was another disappointment for the BHCC followers. However, for this observer this was more than tempered by the return of Philip Nicholson to the Club as Director of Cricket. Phillip Bell has come forward to lead the Club with the support of a number of estimable cricketers including Callum Harding, Max Williamson, Adam Heather and Pete Halliday. Pete has returned to the ranks with the grateful thanks of the Club in acting as Captain through recent difficult times.
Returning to the Club in 2025 is Lee Crozier who is by far and away the leading wicket taker in North East Premier League History. He has unfinished business at BHCC and could not be a more welcome signing.
Notwithstanding the above comments about Overseas Professionals the Club has recruited an Overseas Professional from Sri Lanka in Malinga Amarasinghe. The season in Sri Lanka does not overlap so Malinga will be with us for the duration. I wish him every success.
Elsewhere the Club remains strong. The Second X1 finished fourth in their competition with a very young team whilst the third team were competitive in the West Tyne League. Sadly, that League went out of existence at the end of 2024 so our 3rds will compete in the Northumberland and Tyneside League Division 5W this summer which will be interesting to say the least. We have also entered into an agreement to use the lovely ground at Newbrough to fulfil our `home` fixtures.
On the Junior front we may have the best crop ever – the Northumberland County sides are studded with BHCC players and we can only hope that they come through to become serious senior Cricketers. As ever huge thanks is due to Barry Pearson and his team of coaches who preside over numerous games and training sessions over a long season.
Women`s Cricket was led by Laura Pearson and Mark Wright in 2024 and a number of fixtures were fulfilled in a less than glorious summer. We have some very promising younger girls in our ranks and this part of our Cricket offer remains most important.
To conclude this part of my report I would like to commend the excellent job that Mark Charlton and John and Geoff Chambers did on the Ground in 2024. To be specially recognised by the NEPL at the Annual Dinner was most appropriate -especially as it was a difficult summer for Groundsmen.
The clear goals of the Club in 2025 are to regain our NEPL status and for all concerned to continue to play the game for the joy it can bring. I wish all our Players, Coaches and Support staff every success.
Off the field the Club welcomed three new Members to its Board of Directors. Scott Williamson, Martin Avery and David Archbold bring many years of BHCC experience to the table and even reduce the average age of the group.
It has been the usual battle to keep the Forth Road Bridge painted but we can point to the following as achievements in the last year:
- Car Park Resurfaced and Relined
- Home Changing Rooms Refurbished and Shower are improved
- New Strimmer Purchased
- 2 New Electric radiators purchased in the Bar Area.
- New Glass Washer.
- Refurbishment in the Squash Area and a new Mobile Telephone payment method for paying Court Hire.
This list is not exhaustive for in the near future the furniture in the Bar will be replaced and the steps in front of the Pavilion will be replaced. Mark Charlton will also be carrying out work on the tennis courts to make them less of an eyesore.
All of this takes place under the watchful eye of the Hon Treasurer Larry Dawson who works like a trojan to keep the business (for that is ultimately what we are) on the right lines.
This Club functions on voluntary effort supported by some wonderful professionals. Philip Haves oversees the operation of the Club House with the utmost dedication whilst Martin Avery makes sure the Squash Section runs like clockwork. Scott Williamson has agreed to undertake the role of Secretary whilst individuals like Gordon Haxon (Membership) and Andrew Dawson (Fixtures) continue to go the extra mile. The Professional Staff are simply the best.
I will close this Report with yet more thanks – to our Steadfast Supporters and to our terrific Sponsors who understand the unflagging efforts that are made to make Benwell Hill a sporting oasis in the West End of Newcastle upon Tyne.
Onwards!!
Simon Lunn
Chairman BHCC
February 2025.
