My apologies for the lengthy gap since the last edition of the Newsletter. No excuses really – excessive Grandad duties and the baking heat are all I can put it down to.
The weather has indeed been remarkable, and it is hugely to the credit of Mark, Geoff and John that the pitches have been so good, and the presentation of the ground has been so outstanding.
The Club staged a 3-day Minor County Fixture recently for the first time for many years and received universal praise from both teams, umpires and officials. Equally, I do not think I have seen the place look as impressive as it did on Sunday morning when we staged the Tyneside Charity Bowl Final between Ashington and Lanchester.
Mark Charlton is happily back at work now after an awful dental infection that saw him confined to the RVI. My thanks to Geoff Chambers for filling the breach and everyone else who pitched in.
BHCC's season has been a real `Curate's Egg` - i.e. good in parts. The First Eleven have been competitive in a tough league but too many close games were lost at crucial moments. Three games are left to make a statement about 2027 when we will find ourselves in the second of three divisions of ten clubs. It will not be straightforward, but our clear goal must surely be to bounce back and find our place at the top table.
The Second Eleven has been hovering around the top four all season which given the youth of the side is highly commendable. Joe Fletcher, Peter Jones and Andy Dawson, the three senior players and shifting Captains, have marshalled the troops most effectively. Real performances with significant runs and wickets have been recorded and there are real grounds for optimism if players stay with the Club and the game.
On the same basis the Third Eleven in both Leagues (the NEPL and the NTCL) have enjoyed considerable success and again many excellent performances have taken place. At the start of the season there was some concern that we would have enough to fulfil all our fixtures but at no stage bar one have we been short of players. Top marks to those involved in recruitment but please bear in mind that we will always need more senior players such is the churn in local cricket.
The same message can be recorded re our Women`s and Girls sections who have probably enjoyed their cricket more than anybody else this season. Hats off to Amy, Mark, Barry and all those involved.
Finally on the cricket front Barry Pearson and the team of outstanding coaches have presided over another season of significant progress. This is reflected in results; strong league placings and many young players being selected for Northumberland. Three boys have captained sides at that level which is a measure of their character and talent.
It is not an easy job to keep all the plates in the air when it comes to delivering cricket at BHCC so my grateful thanks to all those involved from the Head of Cricket down for their hard work.
My aim for brevity in these Newsletters has rather fallen by the wayside so I will keep the following short and descend to some bullet points:
- Congratulations to Adam Heather for reaching 10,000 NEPL League Runs. A truly significant feat and a testament to hard work and a love of the game.
- It was great to see Sarah and the extended Shaw Family back at the Club two weeks ago to have a photograph with Professor Shaw`s Bench.
- Elizabeth Nicholson had also visited the Club recently with Philip to see Eric`s bench. (both benches have been placed in front of the Clubhouse – please stop and read the inscriptions – both Keith and Eric are sadly missed)
- This Sunday a President`s Game will take place after a hiatus of a few years. After careful consideration of the possible repercussions, I will not be taking an active part but my thanks to those who have brought this occasion back to life.
- There have been several successful social occasions over the summer, but the undoubted highlight was the Ladies Race Day choreographed by Pat and Margaret and featuring the unique Jimmy Mottram on the microphone.
- A much-needed refurbishment of the Squash Court has taken place, and it looks as good as new. My thanks as ever to Martin Avery.
Enough for now – despite the First Team travails in 2026 BHCC remains a proper cricket club that strives to do its best on and off the field. We have terrific professional staff who work with numerous selfless volunteers to deliver all our programme of activities on and off the field. Thank you everybody.
I will leave you with one last snapshot of the summer – the President bowling to his grandson George in the early evening sunshine (See below). George would then whack the ball and wait for the President to go and retrieve it before repeating the medicine – several times. True devotion.
Simon Lunn
Chairman August 25 2026
If you would wish to contact me about any aspect of the Club please email: simon.lunn@live.co.uk Mobile: 07791-683827
