The Twelfth Man 2018

40 Patrons present were Sir Lawrence Byford, Sir Michael Parkinson, Mike Cowan and President Dickie Bird. Visitors’ book – Instigated in 1952, the first visitors book, signed by all Society guests, now resides in the safe custody of the Bank. A valuable and precious Society item. Volume 2 still has space and contains the signatures of all of those we have been fortunate to welcome to WCLS since South African batsman, Jimmy Cook, in September 1990. Wombwell glasses – presented to all our guests/visitors from the early days and a tradition still maintained. A memory in glass for our guests! Ardsley Oaks Club – The Society first met at the Sir George’s Arms and stayed in Wombwell (at various venues) until a move to Ardsley Oaks in 1986. Oaks has therefore now hosted WCLS for well over 30 years – we remain thankful for their help, their function room and their beverages. Raffle – vital part of our meetings, and so often conducted by one of our unsung workers, from Jack Barraclough, Margaret Harrison and Audrey Moxon to Brian Sanderson more recently. Those ticket sales help to keep WCLS going and thanks to all who buy one or two! National Awards – the Society has awarded a whole raft of national awards each year to recognize the performances of players in English cricket during the summer season. Many winners have graced the stage or visited us for lunch or evening functions. Twelfth Man – first published as the Society’s annual magazine in 1954 and without fail ever since. It was my honour and pleasure to have edited the magazine between 1990 and 2001. It remains the vital link between the Society and so many of the supportive members who never get to visit us. Committee members – I have worked with a good number across my years as a serving official. I’d like to thank each and every one of them for their work and support to WCLS, then and now. Presidents – in my time I’ve known only two – the real hands on Jean Swift, a stalwart from the Society’s earliest times, and our ‘figure-head’ President, former Test/International umpire, Dickie Bird. Chairman – again I’ve worked with several. The knowledgeable Keith Round, too briefly Philip Akroyd and the wise Frank Taylor. But I’ll reserve special mention for James Greenfield – so much more than JUST Chairman. His calm head and actions back in 2006 steered the Society through very rough times. He organizes speakers, entertains them over food/drinks and then does an equally fine job on the stage. No