The Club Cricket Conference Yearbook 2020

- 83 - He was also noticed by the Club Cricket Conference and in 1977 was selected to tour South Africa, sadly cancelled on political grounds and replaced by a tour to the Caribbean. His first match was against a Barbadian team who thought the CCC were professional cricketers and turned out most of the Island team as practice for an upcoming cup game. Several of the players were Test cricketers. He was also selected to play for the Conference on the 1981 tour to Sri Lanka. No longer playing for the CCC, Stuart was asked to manage the 1987 tour to Australia and two years later Buckinghamshire also organised a tour to Australia – their first – again with Stuart as manager. Finally, he was again asked to manage the 1991 CCC tour to Australia where one report from it states, “Stuart’s consistent patience and efficiency was of the very highest order”. He was a member of the Buckinghamshire Selection and Cricket Committee for a number of years and became Chairman of the County from 1997-2010 before being appointed Club President in 2014. Finally, he was appointed an Honorary Life President – one of only three to hold that position. In 2013 Stuart was appointed President of the CCC and, following the usual custom, a Life Vice-President from the following year. As can be readily seen, the shy boy from Harpole led a very active and productive life; loved his sport; liked his work; was devoted to his family; and lived his life to the full. In addition to his sporting interests, Stuart was also heavily involved in Rotary and did much to help them raise funds for charitable causes. He was President of his local Rotary Club and regularly got up a table to attend and support the CCC Lunch. Along with his wife Pat he made a point of attending as many Bucks Minor County matches as possible, both home and away, and was well-known and well respected on the circuit. Pat, Jonathan, Christopher, Dana and Krista have lost a husband, father and companion, and we have all lost a very good friend who will be missed by us all. David Smith CCC President 2005