At the 2020 AGM of the Club I was delighted to announce that Life Membership had been awarded to the following: Brian Duell, Ian Munro, Martin Avery, Eric Nicholson and Philip Nicholson.
Each of these individuals has offered an immense amount to the Club in a whole variety of ways over countless years. Whether through incredible service on the cricket field or in the many unsung roles that make this organisation tick all five have gone way beyond the call of duty. Our Club is largely built on voluntary effort and it is entirely appropriate that these efforts are recognised by the Membership. Many congratulations Gentlemen.
Also at the AGM Secretary Keith Shaw announced that following consultation with Life Members and the General Committee Tom Williamson was proposed as the new President of the Club following in the footsteps of the late great Norman Green. The meeting was delighted to endorse the proposal and Tom expressed how honoured he was to accept the office.
Following consultation with the new First Lady of BHCC (St Maria of Countess Drive) the following information underlines Tom`s unimpeachable credentials for the job:-
Tom was born `on the ground` -almost literally- in 1943 and he was recruited as a player by former President Alan Evans at the age of 9. He joined the Committee in 1970 and has fulfilled just about every role imaginable in the ensuing 50 years. Back in the day every time the Club wanted to stage a function Tom even had the daunting job of attending the Magistrates Court to obtain a Licence. Given Tom`s famous diplomatic skills the mind boggles.
Tom drove the Social Committee for years and eventually acquired the nickname `the Owner` as he became the key character in helping to develop the Club into the thriving enterprise it is today. When the burglar alarms went off in the night or various in-house crises ensued Tom was always at the forefront of sorting out the problems –thankfully Tom is still more than ready to provide advice and the benefits of his hard won experience at all times........
On the field in his younger days Tom was a combatative seam bowler who claimed 60 wickets in his best 2nd X1 season. Latterly Tom toured the highways and byways of the North East as one of Havesy`s army in the North East Durham League whilst a developing interest in coaching led to many years putting in the hard yards on the Junior side of the Club.
If the truth was to be told whilst Tom loved the team element of cricket his forte was –and is –on the golf course where he retains a low handicap and competes ferociously. Not many golfers can claim to have beaten their age – a feat that was witnessed by yours truly at Tyneside Golf Club. It even cost me a whole pound.
That special dynastic element of BHCC courses through the Williamson family – son and daughter Scott and Lynn and grandchildren Max and Ellen have followed in Tom`s cricketing footsteps and Tom is extremely proud of the fact that Scott captained the Club to its first victory in the Northumberland County League in 1996.
I will leave the final words to Maria - `Tom will not thank me for any of this. He always says he has only been a small cog in a big wheel and it is not all about him. I say if he was a stick of rock BHCC would be printed all the way through`.
Some cog, some wheel.
Congratulations Tom!
S.A. Lunn March 2020
