Junior training cancelled due to rain - Wednesday 2nd September

Summer Cricket Camps return to Welwyn Garden City CC -
more details here

Junior training cancelled due to rain - Wednesday 2nd September

The DPSA bar has re-opened for outdoor service only from 12 April - More details here

Welwyn Garden City Cricket Club - Obituaries

Jim Arthur
JIM ARTHUR

We are very sorry to announce the death on 12 March of past member Jim Arthur.  

Son of George Arthur, Jim was a gentle and well-liked club member who umpired many games for WGCCC during the 1970s and 1980s, always with great expertise and very good humour.  

Jim had a great love of cricket and after moving to Indonesia championed the development of cricket in that country, serving as President of Jakarta Cricket Club from 2000-2003.  

He remained a good friend of the club, and helped with the design of the club blazers.

The club sends sincere condolences to his family.

Jim’s funeral will be on 6th May at 1.15pm at St. John’s Church, Lemsford. This is at the request of Jim’s widow Nur and the children, Thomas and Lizzie, as it’s where Jim and the family worshipped during his childhood. All are welcome.

It will be followed by a private family cremation.

The wake will be held at the pavilion at Digswell Park from 2.15pm onwards and again, all are most welcome to attend.

Family flowers only, but donations can be made to a charity of your choice if you wish.
Joyce Beynon
JOYCE BEYNON

It is with great sadness we report the passing of Joyce Beynon.

Joyce (or Auntie Joyce as she was affectionately called by many people at WGCCC) has been an integral part of WGCCC for over 40 years. There is so much Joyce did for our cricket club but it mostly went unnoticed, mainly because she would never want to take any credit for what she had done. She would insist it was just part of her role in supporting David, Jane, Stephen or Dan.

Joyce was the constant in the life of WGCCC, watching and supporting regardless of the performance or weather. The boundary will not be the same without her.

Joyce always had a positive outlook on life and a lovely sense of humour. One particular Facebook post sums this up. Joyce was on a trip with David when over the tannoy system a security message asked all passengers to report anything suspicious, to which Joyce commented…’I wonder whether I should hand David in, as I’d always found his jacket very suspicious!’.

WGCCC (and Hertfordshire CCC) has lost its biggest supporter and Joyce will be sorely missed by all of us.

We would like to send our sincere condolences to David, Jane, Stephen and Dan at this extremely sad time.
Tony Tarry senior
TONY TARRY SENIOR

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Tony Tarry senior on December 28th at the age of 94.

Tony was a life member of the cricket club, having been involved as a player and a committee member for many years.

He was a lovely man and the club sends its condolences to his family and friends.
Barry Sumpter
BARRY SUMPTER

Barry Sumpter has died this week after a short illness.  Barry was a lovely man who will be much missed by us all.

Our thoughts are with Jimmy and Barry's family at this time.
Paula Mitchell
PAULA MITCHELL

Paula Mitchell has died after a short illness - Paula was the loving wife of Steve (Mitch) and mother to Liam. 

She was a larger than life character and will be sorely missed by all at WGC CC and the DPSA. 

Our thoughts go out to Steve and Liam at this sad time.
Jim Hill
JIM HILL

It is with profound sadness that I have to share the news that one of our former players, Jim Hill has passed away.

He died at home in Zimbabwe after short illness. He was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in December of last year.

Jim came to the club after meeting David Jowett at University in Kent and kept wicket for the 2nd Eleven (and sometimes the 1's) during the 1990s.

He was an excellent wicketkeeper, a more than useful batsman and most importantly an absolutely top bloke and wonderful friend and team mate.

Jim was one of the nicest, kindest people you would ever meet. He is survived by Lorraine (his wife whom he met when he came to WGC) and 2 children, Claudia and Tom.

We send our deepest sympathies and love to them all at this very difficult time.

When we are able to gather together again let’s take time to remember Jim at the next Past v Present match.

David Beynon, President.
Tom Piggott
TOM PIGGOTT

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Tom, the son of one our life members Keith Piggott.

Tom played for our junior teams until his fantastic talent at golf took over (he represented England at junior level).

Tom was known by, and friends with, many members at our club.

At this difficult time our thoughts and prayers are with Keith, Anne, Claire and Holly.
Roger Abraham
ROGER ABRAHAM

It is with sadness that we report that Roger Abraham, who was WGCCC President from 1987 to 1992, has died at his home in Portugal. The father of WGCCC players Tim and Cheg, Roger was an enthusiastic and generous supporter of the Club at a time when Digswell Park was embarking on substantial development.
Mary Anderson
MARY ANDERSON

Sadly Mary Anderson, a Vice President of the Club and sister of former player and President, the late Don Anderson, died peacefully on 11th June at the age of ninety two. 

Mary first visited the Club as a toddler in a pram, had supported the Club with her presence at matches and functions over many years, and was instrumental in establishing the Don Anderson Trophy match, played annually against Winchmore Hill, another Club with Anderson family connections.

Mary's Funeral will be held at Garston Crematorium in Watford on Thursday 30th June at 15.40.  If you are planning to attend could you please let the family know by e-mailing trevorpoppy@talktalk.net.

Afterwards everyone is welcome back to Mary's house at 10 Dognell Green, Welwyn Garden City.

David Beynon
George Arthur
GEORGE ARTHUR

We are sad to announce the death of George Arthur, who served WGCCC for many years as player and administrator and was elected as a Life Member of the Club in 1985.

George's funeral will be on Monday 17th February at 11am at St John’s Church, Lemsford, AL8 7TR Followed by refreshments at Welwyn Garden City Cricket Club, Knightsfield, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 7NQ 

Forgive the presumption, but the only flowers we are planning are from the immediate family.  However, if you wish to do something in George’s memory, please send a donation to Isabel Hospice, Welwyn Garden City, Herts AL7 1JR. 

Many thanks Elizabeth, Jim, Louise and Juliet

A tribute from John Adams (former Club President):
The very, very sad news of the death of George Arthur leaves us, I think, with a double loss. We have lost a true and delightful gentleman and we have also lost a link with the past.

Everyone will have their favourite reminiscences of George depending perhaps, upon their age. You may recall him as a more than useful player; as a captain, particularly of the 3rd XI which he, in effect, founded; as an able, effective and extremely conscientious administrator both for the Club and for the DPSA; as an umpire; or perhaps just for his enthusiasm and encouragement;  for the stories and the famous recitations; or, just for standing at the bar smiling and chatting… and being George.

George was one of the first people I met when I joined the Club in 1971 and I remember thinking that here was a very nice man, a decent man…a “proper chap”.

In the forty-odd years that have passed I have never had cause to revise that opinion. And I have never met anyone who thought differently. But I think there is something more. George was, of course, a link to past: the history of the Club (obviously) but also to the way that the game was played in the past.

I sensed that George loved cricket not just because it was an exciting test of skill, nor just because of the competitive element (no fading flower, George, he loved a close hard-fought competitive game) but because cricket - the cricket that George played - was a game of values, a game of sportsmanship and decency. Could anyone even imagine George claiming a catch that he didn’t take, or remaining at the crease when he’d snicked it behind? No. Or abusing an opponent or an official? Of course not.  Why would anybody want to play sport like that?

In losing George the Cricket Club has lost a great character, a great supporter and a great friend. It has also lost someone who exemplified and in a sense personified the spirit of the game.

John Adams
Gareth Madgwick

GARETH MADGWICK

It is with sincere regret that we report the passing of Gareth Madgwick, who died on Thursday 12th July 2012, after a long and incredibly brave battle against cancer.

Gareth was an extremely talented all-round sportsman (football, golf and cricket) and played for WGCCC for over 10 years - he was captain when the 2nd XI won the league in 1997.

His highest score for the club was 140no, he averaged over 40 in the league for the 2 XI and was also an outstanding wicket-keeper…in three seasons (1997-1999) he took 67 catches and 22 stumping’s.

Madge (as he was affectionately known) was a massive Man City fan and his joy when they won the league this year, was priceless.

RIP Madge….... taken too soon, you will be dearly missed but never forgotten.

Phil Brice
PHIL BRICE

It is with much sadness that the club has to inform its members of the death of Phil Brice. "Uncle Phil" was a long time supporter of both Tewin and WGC CC and his witty comments and general joie de vivre will be missed on the boundaries of both clubs and many more besides.

As he would  have said himself - "over bowled" The funeral will be 11 am at Garston on Friday 3rd February.