Annual Dinner & Awards Evening Huge Success

Friday 15th October saw a combination of  93 members, sponsors, guests, and friends of Bideford CC gather At The Royal Hotel for the Annual Dinner.

The highlight of the evening was a special “This is your Life” tribute to Andy Davies.

Guest presenter and local umpire Richard Smith hosted the proceedings in a 30 minute presentation of Andy’s life which included over 50 years service to our club.

The audience were told that since 1958 Davies had held virtually every elected, voluntary, and playing position at Westward Ho!

Acknowledgments were also delivered by guest speaker Ray Hales, as a footballer he played non league soccer for Braunton but cricket was always his first love. Club President and former playing colleague Peter Adams praised Andy for his cricketing brain, and coaching success with the Schools “Chance to Shine” initiative while Brian Champion expressed his thanks and gratitude to him for his loyal support and advice during his time as Club Chairman.

Plaudits were not just confined to local recognition. A warm congratulatory written tribute by Matt Theedom Devon’s Cricket Development Manager was read out and Richard Smith also reminded everyone of a Sky Sports award for services to Youth Cricket which Andy received at the second one day international in Cardiff back in June.

Finally Club Chairman Martin Barratt thanked Andy for his dedicated work with its Colts programme and tireless, professional, attention in improving the standard and quality of Westward Ho! cricket square now recognised as one of the best playing surfaces of its kind in Devon.

Incorporated into the evening’s entertainment the Club also presented its Senior Cricket awards, one of the most coveted and prestigious being The George Keen Young Player of the Year which went to Ben Brend (pictured with the George Keen Trophy) another promising youth product of Davies and the Clubs Colts set up.

Matt Allin Bideford’s prolific First XI Wicketkeeper Batsman and Darren Hart the Clubs Sunday Second XI Captain also received special individual awards including personalised certificates and engraved trophies for their individual record breaking achievements.

A full list of award winners wil appear here shortly ...