Attended the funeral yesterday of Tony Wood at the Guildford Crematorium. Was accompanied by Peter Fisk (though not a Rambler but a close friend and business associate of Tony) for the journey south from Darlington by train. The service was well attended with others also making long journeys on this special day - Peter Hodges up from Devon and Chris Terry down from Cumbria, to mention two. Our President, wife Greta and their 2 dogs also attended en route to enjoy a holiday in France. Other old cricketing friends included Don and Mary Barnes, Leslie Smithers, Derek Markham, Tim Reynolds, Bertie Mawer (representing Old Witleians), Alan Hardy, Len Coles, Nic Harper and from Guildford CC - Dick Humphries and Mickey Tooke. Apologies for absence were passed on from Gerry Cogger, Malcolm Wiseman and Julian Ince.

The service included 2 of Tony Wood's favourite hymns and an amusing oration by Roger Scott. The coffin, appropriately, sported a Ramblers' cap.

Then it was off to West Surrey Golf Club for drinks, refreshments and an opportunity to chat with Tony's wife Jean, brother Li, Roz and the rest of the family and to catch up with old friends on this memorable day. Following which I was delighted to accompany Nic Harper on the return journey to Yorkshire arriving home at 10.45pm.

Entry in today's "Daily Telegraph" confirms Tony Wood's funeral will take place next Tuesday at Guildford Crematorium - 1.30pm. Family flowers only. Any donations to British Heart Foundation, c/o Mullard Funerals, 121-123, High Street, Godalming. Surrey GU7 1AQ.

Received phone call this morning from Lionel Wood to say that his brother Tony died last night in hospital. His family were at his bed side when he passed away. An obituary notice will be placed on this Website shortly.

Fax received today from our President to which is attached a delightful hand written response to his appointment as an Honorary Life Member from Lionel Wood.

Tony Wood's condition is still giving cause for concern, I understand and he remains in hospital.

A phone-call from Lionel Wood, who recently retired as the Club's President, to say that brother Tony is seriously ill and was admitted to Mount Alvernia Nursing Home, Guildford last week. Tony has been the life blood of the Ramblers both on (as the Club Records show) and off the field from the early years and our thoughts are with Jean and his family.

Extra-ordinary coincidence to read in the paper this morning that as Matthew Hayden passed the world's highest individual Test score set by Brian Lara, Mervyn Dillon was being struck by lightning while batting for Trinidad & Tobago in the Windward Islands. The latter is reported to have been detained in hospital with a headache and some loss of hearing.

For the uninitiated, Lara played against the Ramblers and Dillon played for the Club - as a guest - in the game at Queens Park Oval, Port of Spain on the 2002 tour.

I was very sorry to hear of the death of Gordon Smith, who was a very good friend to me. I remember his first match for the Ramblers at Brook. He was in his 50th year and had parted company from Merrow because, among other things, they thought that he cheated. I am quite certain that he didn't cheat. He was just too quick for them. In all the years he played for the Ramblers, there was never a questionable appeal. I know why he was so quick. I used to visit him and Connie at Merrow. One day I walked into his back yard where he was throwing half a tennis ball against the wall. He was standing about 1 yard from the wall catching the half ball as it flew off the wall in crazy directions. That is how he remained so quick witted. He practised regularly. My analysis owes a great deal to his leg side stumpings. Woe betide any batsman who lifted his foot for a fraction of a second. The bails where off and the batsman was on his way back to the pavilion. Gordon was quite happy to stand up to any bowler that the Ramblers could produce with the exception of John Holder. I can remember Gordon standing a full wicket back for John, on the No.1 ground at Southampton, taking the ball, well above his head when it was still on the rise. Gordon usually batted at number 10 and could be relied upon never to throw his wicket away. I seem to remember he scored one 50 and I have a vague recollection that that was in his first match (a bit like Mike Bacon). Gordon and Connie always set off in plenty of time for a match and were never late. They were usually on the ground half an hour or an hour before the start of the match. I often travelled with them and they would allow me to drive their beautifully kept Vauxhall Velox, which was Gordon's pride and joy. As the years rolled by, Gordon lost none of his dexterity but he did find that his bruised hands would not heal up in the five days between matches. At first, he used additional padding inside his gloves but eventually had to give up for the sole reason that his bruised hands would not heal fast enough. After he retired from cricket, he went to be a caretaker at Surrey University. He was an exceptionally nice man and was always good fun in the pub after the match. Is Connie still alive? If so, please may I have her address so that I can write my own letter of condolence.

Regards

Christopher

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Connie Smith's address:

10, Reeve Lodge

Trimley St.John

FELIXSTOWE

IP10 0SL

The President reports he has been advised that Gordon Smith, one of our recently selected Honorary Life Members, has died.

Connie, Gordon's wife, acknowledged receipt of the letter from Hugh and stated that Gordon had been aware and had expressed his pleasure. A full notice will follow in the Obituary section

2003 season's match reports, season highlights, batting and bowling averages are now complete and may be accessed (click here)

It is interesting that in 1953, the Ramblers played 24 matches and called upon 60 players; in 1973 - 28 matches/ 63 players; in 1993 15 matches/50 players. In 2003 we had only 11 matches and called upon 63 players (2 of whom were invisible at Devizes!).

In a similar vein, four matches cancelled by the opposition being unable to raise a team is the most the Club has had to endure in a season.

Delighted to note that the very first letter to appear in "The Wisden Cricketer" (the new magazine replacing "Wisden Cricket Monthly" and "The Cricketer International") has been submitted by a Rambler.

Adrian Stephenson (Club Treasurer 1967-70) expressed his shame that "given the honour of leading the team off the field at the end of the third Test, James Kirtley was hijacked (presumably by Channel 4) at the Pavilion gate and led away for interview. One of the great moments is to jog up the pavilion steps to a standing ovation from the members but this was denied Kirtley." Adrian points out that "this incident emphasizes the signal lack of appreciation among television producers of the important moment in a player's career".

Photo received today taken at Hugh's step-daughter Charley's magnificent wedding last month. Also present were Adrian and Rosemary Stephenson who were active members of the Ramblers in the '60s.

Sad to announce the recent passing of one of our ex-first class cricketers, John Harvey last week after a long illness.
John played his first class cricket for Derbyshire and on his retirement captained Berkshire. He was Head Groundsman and Cricket pro at Bradfield College producing several first class and Minor county cricketers.

Following the letters sent to 11 former players by our President (See Club News 07/08/2003), he has had replies from 3 as follows:

I am delighted and honoured to receive your letter and the handsome shield which will be given a place of honour in my study. I talked recently with Michael on the phone, and managed to recall the batting order in the very first Ramblers' match, when I helped your father to collect a scratch team to play Farncombe, then the strongest side in the district. We gave them a good hiding (aided by some remarkable catches) and constituted ourselves a club in the pub afterwards, when I became the original secretary.

I played with all the members of your chosen eleven except Malcolm Wiseman and Gordon Smith, though I seem to remember playing against Gordon at Merrow.

The only one I am in touch with now (apart from Michael) is Lionel Wood. None of them played in the original match. Am I the sole living survivor? A horrible thought!

I am crippled now by arthritis and can hardly walk, but still trying to do some work.

Thank you for your letter of the 4th August 2003 and the very kind gift of the shield.

Winton Dean was in a rather different era! Of the two wicket-keepers, I would always prefer Gordon behind the stumps, as long as he was standing up to them.

I do hope the tour to Dublin was a success on the field as well as in the various bars. My enjoyment of the previous tours starting at Findon and finishing in the Midlands brings back many happy memories.

Congratulations on your appointment to President. Thank you for inviting me to become an Honorary Life Member of Sydenhurst Ramblers - I am delighted to accept. Thank you also for the shield of the Club's badge - it is already hanging in our sitting-room and serves to remind me of the good old days.

My injuries and operations (back & knee) finally caught up with me and I was forced to retire from teaching, on health grounds, four years ago.

Jen has also suffered ill-health for over a decade, after which she was diagnosed with cancer, so it has been fortunate that I have been around to look after her.

By the time you receive this you will have toured Dublin - I'm sure you'll have had a wonderful time!

The Hon. Secretary reports that the Hampshire Maniacs fixture on Friday 29th August has been cancelled.

Sadly, for the second time in the week, the opposition cried off. Ramblers were denied a visit to Sydney Parade, Dublin - the home of Pembroke CC and were reduced to sampling other delights like Guinness actually at the Storehouse and sand sculpture at Dublin Castle. Channel4 was available on the hotel's TV and so - following an hour's holdup allegedly caused by signalling problems on the DART rail system, one was able to watch England thrash the South African bowling at Trent Bridge.

And so to the final night's dinner at Nino's in Temple Bar. After the last Fines Committee announcements, your correspondent repaired to bed. Some stayed up drinking all night. Disgraceful!

The visit to Clontarf CC at Castle Avenue was equally as impressive and memorable as yesterday. Clontarf were hosts for Ireland v. South Africa earlier in the season and their Website, if a little behind events, lists other important national fixtures being played here. The square and outfield are to a very high standard and the facilities equally so (including an electric scoreboard).

Again, as I write, the match report is awaited, but the scores and analyses are accessible (click here)

Our hosts served an excellent barbecue on the pavilion roof in the evening, followed by the latest Fines Committee report and much fun was had by all. Taxis were a shade late in arriving but it hardly detracted from a splendid evening.

"The Daily Telegraph" quoted Mark Haslam, in his defence of Geoffrey Robinson, the former Treasury minister at Walsall Magistrate's Court yesterday. A copy was shown to Mark at breakfast but in no way did this affect his enjoyment of the meal. Mark and Helen had joined the Tour party last night having driven Mr.Robinson back to Surrey; returned home; done an afternoon's work; repaired down to Gatwick Airport and caught the flight to Dublin. Such stamina!!

Happily the fixture at Phoenix Park today was fulfilled (even though we were billed as 'Sydenham Hurst Ramblers' on the home club's Website).. Phoenix CC was formed in 1830 and is the oldest club in Ireland. It was an honour and a pleasure to sample the history and character of the venue. The report is awaited, but the scores and analyses are available (click here)

Character is surely the correct word to use in connection with the scorebox at Phoenix Park, access to which was positively dangerous to one who has recently undergone a hip operation. Locating the correct numbers with the aged hand-pull system was also a trial, especially when my fellow scorer left to do a spot of umpiring without being replaced when Phoenix were fielding and giving 9 players a bowl.

In a break from scoring (I still do not understand why the Fines Committee Chairman penalized me for scoring in pencil!) your correspondent was approached on 2 separate occasions while walking around the aged white boundary fence. On both occasions, I was delighted to unravel the mysteries of the game to those who had never before watched cricket.

Dinner - for those who turned up in time - was held in a restaurant local to our hotel and most enjoyable it was.

Tour party arrived at the Herbert Park Hotel, Dublin - most with their kit - to be advised that the first fixture v. Railway Union had been cancelled due to the opposition, who had reached the Final of a cup competition the day before, being unable to raise a side.

The Club's committee have decided that after 57 years of the Ramblers' existence, it is fitting that a number of players, both past and present should, by virtue of their contributions to the Club, on the field and off, be invited to become Honorary Life Members.

As a small token of their collective efforts over the years each invitee is being sent a shield of the Club's badge - depicting "The Rose Revived". It seemed to me the best way of writing to an appropriately numbered 11 people was in the form of a batting order. There are, however, two wicket-keepers, so who would take the precedence with the gloves I will leave to you!

I am sure that you will agree that, in today's parlance the above line up would form a "dream team", from whom the current England team might learn the odd tip!

Sorry for lack of news. I have been upgrading software. Most of you will know by now that Ramblers were beaten by Oxford Downs at Standlake on July 1st. Report has been received and is now added.

Harry Hooper and Nick Wood have broken the 2nd wicket partnership record which has stood since 1960 when Nick Harper (102) and David Childs (138*) put on 218 against the Gentlemen of Worcestershire at Kidderminster during that summer's tour of the West Midlands. Many congratulations! (See Match Report)

Kate, Charles and Christopher Terry were deeply appreciative of the large number of Ramblers who attended Janet's funeral at Busbridge Church yesterday.

The fixture on Monday 11th August - the first match - is now against Railway Union C.C. (rather than Merion C.C. as originally suggested).

Janet, accompanied by Jane Willis, met Christopher during a Rambler's hockey match at Rodborough in 1966. Their marriage, in 1968, in Bramley, was attended by numerous Ramblers. They established house at Valentines Hill Cottage, Northchapel, Sussex, from which Rambler's Hockey and (after 1975) Rambler's Cricket was run. Janet typed all the letters, did much of the catering, transporting, cleaning, entertaining and attended some 500 fixtures, summer and winter, in a dozen years. She organised the Rambler's "Gold and Silver" dinner at the Angel Hotel, Guildford, at which Jimmy Young was Guest of Honour. Janet worked for several years as the sixth generation in the family silk business. In recent years, she was married again to Roland Abbey. She is succeeded by Kate and Charles whose address is 11 Hillside Lane, Heathend, Farnham, Surrey GU9 0LB.

The match at Blackheath got started, but then rain intervened - Ramblers
102-2 ; end of game

John Hamilton has the scorebook book and will be sending the details to you
for the website.
Onwards to the Hogs game on the 25th.

"I was very pleased to hear that Hugh Gauntlett has accepted the Presidency of the Ramblers

Ever since the Club was formed, just after the Second World War, the Gauntlett name has been synonymous with that of Sydenhurst Ramblers Cricket Club.

I am sure that his father - the much loved Mike Gauntlett (FTG) would have been equally delighted to see Hugh carry on the tradition of Ramblers' cricket.

My best wishes to the new President and to the Club for many more successful seasons to come.

Addenda from 'Ramblings 2003' just issued by the Hon. Secretary to members and not already covered in the Club News:

Club Officers: Christopher Terry, whilst retaining the purse-strings, has become a Vice-President, joining Julian Ince. Jon Stonebridge, together with Jane and 2 daughters is lost to us as a Committee member (hopefully temporarily) - now being domiciled in Melbourne, Australia for a year or two.

Tour Coffin Stickers & Brochures - spares for past tours are available from the Hon. Secretary. See list in the

Brook CC - For those Ramblers who do not have a playing association with Brook, you would wish to know that the Club runs 2 sides in the Surrey Championship on Saturdays, and 2 two friendlies sides on Sundays; there is plenty of good cricket with a bonus of knowing folks through the Ramblers' connection. If you are interested in joining and playing, please contact Alan Hardy, the Cricket Manager (01420-511475 or 07817-116638).