Wentworth Cricket Club Established 1876

LAST year our longstanding chairman Ernest Laister stood down, after giving a lifetime's dedication to Wentworth Cricket Club.

Ernest has been part of this cricket club for longer than most of us can remember and during his time has served as groundsman, fundraiser, handyman, tea maker, as well as opening batsman.

He can remember a time when cricket was played in front f the big house, playing his first game there in 1949.  He was part of a small group of men who were instrumental in getting the cricket pitch and pavilion where it is now.  A feat which cost the princely sum of £13,900, raised by barbecues and the like, and more than £6,000 from Lord Fitzwilliam.

Now Ernest has decided to step down and give younger people a chance to prove themselves.  But that doesn't mean, however, he won't be around to tell them a thing or two.

In his honour, members decided to create the title of honorary life president, which means Ernest still gets the opportunity to tell everyone just where they're going wrong and point them in the right direction.

At the annual presentation night in November, tributes to Ernest came from far and wide, not least from Her Majesty the Queen, and one hilarious but very special tribute came from Ernest's granson Danny and Gareth Hobson, which had to be seen to be believed.

So on behalf of everyone at the cricket club, Ernest, we wish you a very happy and relaxing retirement (and get the kettle on). "Bloody hell ...."