Our 2024 season came to a close last weekend as the club held its AGM on Friday night and this was followed by a wonderful celebration on Saturday evening, as a ‘full house’ of around 150 enjoyed our annual End of Season Dinner & Dance at Notley Tythe Barn.

Our Chairman, Terry Gadsby, used both occasions to celebrate a terrific season for the club. Here are some of the highlights from her speeches:

“The cricket this season has been brilliant! The 1st XI exceeded all expectations and won Division 4A in the Cherwell League without losing a match. They then added to this by winning the Airey Cup, which must be the most successful season so far for the 1st team in the history of the club.

The 2nd XI newly promoted to Division 7A did not start the season well, but held their own in a very closely fought division. They ended in 5th place but at one point were in contention to win their division.

For the first time ever the club fielded a 3rd XI in the Cherwell League. With so many juniors pressing for places in the teams, this season seemed the obvious time to do this. They only managed to win one game and finished bottom of Division 8A, but any doubts about availability and selection were cast aside and they only had to forfeit two games during the season. Their team spirit never wavered!

Our Juniors go from strength to strength with over 100 youngsters from ages 4 to 17. The Allstars and Dynamos accounted for about 70 of these. I would like to say a big thank you to Adam Lazaruk for organising all the Junior games, and to Leigh Tomlinson, Stuart Burnham and everyone else who helped with coaching and matches through the season.

A further development for the club this season was the introduction of a Ladies Softball Team. This has been very well supported by around 20 players of varying ages and abilities. Every member was totally committed to learning new skills and participated in several matches and tournaments, encouraged by the lure of much ‘prosecco’ afterwards! Many thanks to Stuart Burnham, Mark Claridge and Adam for coaching and encouraging us along the way.

We also have one of the best grounds in the county to play on and I have to pay tribute to our Groundsman, Paul Cherry, for all his hard work on the square, and also to Jack Lazaruk for keeping the outfield in shape. A big thank you to all the other members who have helped to keep everything looking perfect.

As regards our other facilities at the ground, once again the pavilion did not winter well. It suffered badly from damp and I would like to record my heartfelt thanks to the small band of members who worked really hard to get it cleaned and re-decorated for the start of the season.

After another successful Classic Car Show in September, it has been agreed that monies raised from the event will be set aside to go towards either upgrading or replacing the pavilion. This will be a long-term project and we will be setting up a sub-committee to look into all the options for this. The event, supported by a hard-working committee and by many others on the day itself, also enables us to give something back to the community with donations to the Chearsley Village Trust and other local charities.

I would also like to record my thanks to all our sponsors, whose numbers have increased again this year, thanks to the hard work of Nick Babington. Their support is mutually beneficial, with the club gaining valuable funding, and we look forward to this continuing in the years ahead. We are also lucky to have some very kind and generous benefactors, who support us in other ways.”

On other club matters, the financial position of the club was reported healthy overall as, despite some rising costs, income from fundraising, sponsors, player subscriptions and ‘the bar’ all showed an increase this year.”

Most members of the Committee will carry on in their current roles in 2025, However, Angela Gray (Facilities) and Ben Caiger (Welfare & Safeguarding) will be stepping back and both were thanked for their immense contribution to the club. A successor for Ben is being sought but Mark Claridge will take over Angela’s responsibilities at the club.

During the dinner on Saturday, Terry announced the winner of the Chairman’s Cup but before doing so, she told us that she had also chosen a ‘runner-up’ this year for the first time - Jack Lazaruk - who has helped the club in so many ways in recent years, especially in his work alongside our Groundsman, Paul Cherry.

The winner of her Chairman's Cup this year is Mark Claridge, whom she described as follows:

“Someone who has also been around the club for a long time. A player - very good player, a valuable and experienced part of the 2nd team. A mentor to younger players. Very supportive and a great coach to the Ladies’ team, with infinite patience much needed. Off the pitch he has played a huge part in rescuing the pavilion from the ravages of nature over the last two winters, using his skills with repairs, cleaning, scrubbing, decorating and anything else that has needed doing. “

Adam then presented the Players’ Awards for the 2024 season:

1st X1
Best Batter - Alex Ross
Best Bowler - Leigh Tomlinson
Players’ Player - Abdi Rahman
Player of the Year - Marcus Goodchild

2nd X1
Best Batter - Mark Claridge
Best Bowler - Nick Babington
Players’ Player - Paul Cherry
Player of the Year - Mark Claridge

3rd X1
Most Improved Player - Himank Tripathy
Players’ Player - Jamie Cummings
Player of the Year - Albert Burrows

Young Player of the Year - Fred Witcher

And finally, Jake Bowman was announced as this season’s winner of Sir Arthur’s Golden Boot....!!

Adam then concluded formal proceedings by praising the huge contribution of both Committee Members and countless others who continue to contribute so much to the running and wellbeing of the club and awarded no less than 35 'Bottle Prizes', as a small token of the club’s appreciation.

So, in short, a fitting climax to another great season for Chearsley Cricket Club, as it celebrated its 102nd birthday!

A full set of photographs of the Dinner & Dance on Saturday can be viewed on the Chearsley Cricket Club Facebook page.