Another Bexley Cricket week has come and gone and once again our wonderful club provided a cricket week to be immensely proud of. Despite a couple of light rain showers early in the week, we were once again blessed with fair weather, which always helps to add to such an amazing week. It is not by magic or luck that our cricket weeks are so successful. The amount of planning, preparation and effort leading up to the event and the immense effort displayed by members of the sub-committees and army of volunteers, is immense.

I honestly believe that a Bexley Cricket week surpasses any other club cricket week, certainly in the county of Kent and I reckon nationwide. Over the years speaking to other cricket club members and players, it appears that the concept of a full week of cricket and associated activities appears to be a rare occurrence. It then goes without saying that a Bexley CC cricket week has to be regarded as one of the best and a well known beer advert sums that up, “If Carlsberg did Cricket Weeks…….a Bexley Cricket Week would probably be the best in the World”. Of course, I am totally biased having experienced cricket weeks for many years going back to my early days in the early 1960’s when we had marching bands, side shows and stalls set out around the ground, fancy dress parades and an end of week dance evening which would, in the following years, morph into a disco, very 70’s! Those concepts have now been replaced by a full week of entertainment and in my opinion, the Monday evening “Bex Factor” eclipses any other. It goes without saying that the acts seem to be improving every year and the effort and imagination of some of the performers never fails to entertain the masses who attend in their droves.

It is always a pleasure to welcome our guests to Manor Way who attend in good numbers, some from every corner of the globe. Many comment on not only the fact that we have such a thriving cricket week but also how we manage to keep the fire burning year on year. There is simple answer to that question, “We are the mighty Bexley”. But it must not be overlooked that to put on such a brilliant week of cricket, entertainment, catering and providing an atmosphere that is welcoming and very sociable, is anything but simple.

As President, I for one take note of everything that goes on behind the scenes and would like to sincerely thank all of those who had a part in arranging, managing and ensuring the week was one to enjoy. It would read like War and Peace if I were to comment here on each of you who had a part in the venture, however big or small. Whilst I will make reference to some of those who played a part in the vast majority of the tasks, I would firstly like to thank all club members, players, colts, family and friends, member’s family and friends, sponsors and our visitors, who all supported our wonderful club for the duration of the week.

So in no particular order I will mention the ground staff led by Dave Sealey, who presented a cricket ground and surrounds that have been the envy of many over the years. It just looked so “cricket” and all that goes with it. It doesn’t go unnoticed just how many visitors to Manor Way comment on what a wonderful ground we have. Also a very special thanks to those who every morning, cleared up to ensure the next day would always start with the ground and pavilion looking perfect and ready for action.

The bar and catering are a pivotal part of a successful week. The bar committee led by their chairman, Andy Saunders and the staff, managed and co-ordinated by Donna Aldred, worked like a Swiss Watch and had all the elements of a swan; serene and graceful above the waterline but padding like crazy down below. Your effort and commitment to the week is fully recognised and let’s not forget the small army of bar staff, some of those being our younger playing members, who always served with a smile and despite the numbers present, kept the wheels turning. A very professional effort all round. And a shout out for Dan Aldred who basically did anything he was told to do by Donna!!

Jayne Daly and her committee group of caterers throughout the week provided food and also arranged yet another very successful Ladies Day to start the week off in true Bexley style. To arrange catering for a whole week and on many of the days providing lunch and tea, is a massive task. This also includes the barbeque so a big thanks to all of you who had any part in barbeque duties during the week. A special thanks goes to our outside caterer, Debbie and her assistants who day on day, provided a wide and varied menu enjoyed by all of us who had the pleasure of a lunch or tea.

A big thank you to Martin Owen and the Marketing and Sponsorship Committee. What you see is what you get. What you don’t see is the hard graft that goes into the lead up to Cricket Week and the many hours of planning and the many, many phone calls and e-mails to ensure everything is in place on the day. Martin, along with others, has been omni-present every day of the week, a commendable effort culminating in a very successful Sponsor’s Lunch. Such is the norm with amateur sport in these modern times, sponsors have become an integral part and we are a very fortunate club to have so many that provide not only financial assistance but also practical help in the provision of goods and services. All we need now is a very wealthy Lottery Winner to fund any future refurbishment of the grand old Lady, the pavilion.

A successful week ensures a healthy financial income and the safekeeping of what has this year, been an astonishing amount of revenue. So thank you to Emily Smith for all that you have done to ensure that nothing goes unaccounted for in addition to all the help I know you have given to Jayne and her team.

My last personal mention concerns all the Captains on the respective days and the players who have entertained us with a cricket match every day. It is not always easy arranging teams and making sure they are always there on time, especially after a “busy” night before! Midweek cricket is sadly on a steep decline but it is a credit to this wonderful club that we still have those playing members and our young colts who make themselves available and fully support the whole ethos of what a cricket week should be.

As mentioned, it is not possible to shout out everyone who has in some way, contributed to such a magnificent 2024 Cricket Week. You know who you are and so do I, believe me. Apologies for not giving a personal mention to you all but please accept my heart felt thanks and appreciation to you all for everything that you have done.

I am so proud and immensely honoured to be the current president of Bexley CC and once again you have shown what this glorious club is all about. Long may the Bexley CC Cricket Week continue. And just to quote one of our ex-presidents (my Dad), it was” MARVELOUS”.

Steve Griggs