25th Anniversary Dinner

Held at West Surrey Golf Club, Enton, Godalming, Friday, October 1st, 1971

Guest of Honour: E.D.R.Eagar, Oxford University, Gloucestershire and Hampshire.

Report from "Surrey Advertiser":

Sydenhurst Ramblers celebrated 25 years of local cricket with an anniversary dinner at West Surrey Golf Club on Friday evening, and entertained Des Eagar, secretary of Hampshire Cricket Club and a former Oxford, Gloucestershire and Hampshire player as their Guest of Honour.

Ramblers of past and present gathered to exchange memories and to relive their playing abilities, but they also had a surprise for Club Chairman, Mike Gauntlett.

A special fund raised enough money to present the founder member with a reproduction of a traditional design desk. He knew nothing of the gift, which was concealed in the dining room, and uncovered after the Dinner.

In proposing the toast to the Club, Mr Eagar spoke of many matches played between the Club and Hampshire ground and staff teams in the past, and praised the Wood brothers, Lionel and Tony, who had scored 16,000 runs and taken over 1000 wickets between them for the Club during their playing careers.

He spoke of the tremendous work for the Club of Mr.Gauntlett, saying "He has been a very good friend to the game of cricket, and - to you- he is th club. He has brought you 25 years of happy cricket and while clubs like yours exist, I have no fears for the future of cricket, despite the aims of others trying to use the game for political reasons."

The response and Toast to the Guests was made by Johnny King. He said he was delighted that the Gauntlett brothers were following in their father's footsteps, and welcomed the guests from many of the local clubs who have long connections with the Ramblers.

Captain of Abingdon Cricket Club, Malcolm Smith replied on behalf of the guests.

Then came the unveiling of the desk, which was the result of a special fund to which members, both past and present had contributed.

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Guest List:

F.T.Gauntlett, Chairman 

Desmond Eagar - Secretary, Hampshire CCC

Malcolm Smith,  Abingdon CC 

Robin Williams, Sports Editor, Surrey Advertiser                                       

E.J.King                                                                Paul Knight

David Jones                                                         Alan Hardy - Captain, Brook CC

Stanley Hodges                                                    Ron Glover, Haslemere CC

John Francis - Captain, Brook CC Sunday XI    Ron Etherington - Club Umpire

Philip Evans, Butterflies CC                                Fred Collyer - Captain, Haslemere CC

Gerry Cogger, Three Bridges CC                         Reg Miles - Umpire

Mick Boxall, Haslemere CC                                 Jeremy Parr

Duncan Whittaker, Fleet CC                               Rodney Smithers

Ernie Bignell, Ellingham CC                                Leslie Smithers

Julian Ince                                                           Malcolm Wiseman

John Tanner, Farnham CC + Guest                    Chris Terry

Eric Neller, Guildford CC + Guest                        Adrian Stephenson, Club Treasurer

Timothy Reynolds                                                 Nick Pearse, Weyfarers CC

Roger Perrin                                                          Mac MacWilliam 

Don Barnes                                                            Bill Reynolds + 3 guests

Ritchie Richards                                                    Pat Meen

Peter Adams, Cranleigh CC                                  Mike Bacon, Cpt., Brook CC 2nd XI 

Clive Walker                                                          Gordon Smith 

Lionel Wood, Captain - Sydenhurst Ramblers CC Tony Wood          

Roy Hardy                                                                Brig.Mike White

Mac McClintock                                                     Bill Webb

Michael Gauntlett                                                  Pat Terry 

Leslie Etherington                                                  Jack Parker - Surrey CCC

Hugh Friend, Dorset Rangers CC                          Hugh Gauntlett, Hon Secretary

Derek Markham                                                    David Allen

Bert Hardy                                                               Bertie Mawer + guest

Terry Gilderdale                                                      Percy Remnant

David Dandridge - Captain, Teddington CC