Well it finally happened. After five years of planning, building, fund raising and worrying the new cricket pavilion in Martley was opened on 26th July . England Ashes hero Ashley Giles did the honorus, Joe Leach’s Worcestershire Eleven provided the opposition for the 165th anniversary game, the sun shone, the burgers were hot and the ale was cold.
Difficult to know how any people came along but someone reckoned close on a thousand, and a massive thank you to those that made it.
All this people who have worked so hard to provide this facility for the village can be very proud of themselves, Steve Hayes and Stu Watt in particular, and it was fitting they held the ribbon for Ashley Giles to cut (see pic)
The club were really pleased that we could dedicate a bench and a tree next to it to a guy called Jack Millward. Known as Nobby. A tree that was planted in his memory some 25 years ago was damaged in the building and the club decided to not only plant a new tree but put something a little more permanent in his memory. Although trees do seem to be somewhat permanent.
It was great to see his family there and his daughter Sylvie did the cutting of the tape.
Club President Bradders said “ When I played my first game of cricket, I was 13, and batting at number 11, with Nobby down at number 10. We neither of us had to bat in a game against Worcestershire Farmers.
“I guess that was his last game of cricket as he was on the team photo from 1935.
“A proper country character was Nobby. He knew every bird, tree, flower, bush and was an exceptional gardener winning loads of prizes each year at the annual show.
We were so pleased that we could leave a lasting to memorial to such a fine man.
The pavilion, the Tap and Run, is open throughout the week and full details are on the Facebook page.
