Category Archives: News
Passing of a Club Stalwart and Life Member
Peter Plummer
It is with sadness and regret that the family of Life member, Peter Plummer, informed the Club of his death yesterday (09.07.2020), aged 89 years.
The below has been written about ‘Plum’ by Gordon Went, the Club President:
PETER PLUMMER
This Week saw the death of another old player. Affectionately known as ‘Plum’ by all his friends, he was arguably our most popular player of the 1960’s/70’s era. Mention his name to anyone who knew him and it’s sure to bring a smile as they recall some incident or other which involved him.
Plum’s demeanour with his rather rotund frame and ‘pebble glass ‘ spectacles, always well dressed and that ‘public school manner’ look hid a character with a wicked sense of fun, which made his company so enjoyable. His look of innocence allowed him to get away with many outrageous incidents, and all through this period he created mayhem at the Rugby and Cricket Club’s to virtually everyone’s enjoyment. Apart from cricket and Rugby, he also had a passion for classic cars and opera. Plum was a ‘class act’ and generous with his praise and wallet to others.
One of his favourite tricks was to drink a pint whilst standing on his head, and I can recall whilst on tour, him asking a Pub landlord for a hot bowl of water, and Plum just sat there as if it was the most natural thing in the world drinking his beer and chatting, whilst bathing his feet.
Plum wasn’t a particularly an outstanding player. He played mainly in the 2nd. team, and whilst he always looked the part with a flamboyant batting style he seemed to play down the wrong line quite a lot. His left arm spin bowling also included a rather balletic style delivery – it looked good but didn’t seem to bring him a lot of wickets.
After the fire in 1975, Plum really showed his true metal, he singlehandedly took charge of an ambitious rebuild and inspired a number of us all to work all hours to complete the task. He designed and installed a central heating and shower arrangement, (Plum was a Heating engineer for Spirax Sarco), and built the pine tables and seating benches for the new tea room. We were called ‘Botch Brothers’.
He was Chairman of the Club in 1965 and 1966, later he became a Honorary Life Vice President (a Life Member) for all his work at the Club. He later moved to Emsworth in Hampshire, where typically he bought two Fisherman Cottages and turned them into a substantial and impressive dwelling, on the water’s edge, and called it ‘The Winkle Shed’. The actor, Albert Finney, later became his next door neighbour.
Plum lost his devoted wife Elizabeth some years ago and had been in poor health for some time, but with the help of his son Martin, also a member, he managed to attend our ‘Old Players Lunch’ much to everyone’s pleasure and many a story was re-told with much merriment and amusement.
Plum’s type of character seems to be missing from our current game and many of us old players feel sorry that the present players can’t experience this aspect of ‘our game’, which made playing and partying so enjoyable.
RIP Plum. We will miss you.
Gordon Went, Club President.
FORTHCOMING CRICKET MATCHES
CRICKET TO RESUME AT THE CLUB THIS WEEKEND.
Matches for this weekend – 11th/12th. July
The follow matches will take place AT HOME on:
Saturday 11th. July – A 35 overs a side Inter-Club game, starting at 12.30 p.m. (with a formal Umpire).
Sunday 12th. July – A 35 overs a side FRIENDLY – Sunday XI v. Warwick, starting at 12.30 p.m.
There will be some changes from previous seasons but at long last there will be some cricket played (…… weather permitting, of course!)
Further details of other matches will follow shortly. All Leagues that we are affiliated with are also trying to get some programmes of fixtures in place for the weekend of 18th. July onwards for the rest of the season, not that it will be a formal League season that we are used to.
WATCH THIS SPACE.
CLUBHOUSE BAR OPENING TIMES
Current Clubhouse Bar Times
As the Club comes out of our enforced period of hibernation, the Clubhouse Bar is now open for Members and their Guests with immediate effect, as follows:
FRIDAY’s – 16.30 hrs until 19.30 hrs (between 4.30 p.m. – 7.30 p.m.)
SATURDAY’s – 16.30 hrs until Close (from 4.30 p.m. onwards)
SUNDAY’s – 16.30 hrs until Close (from 4.30 p.m. onwards)
Social distancing of 1 metre + must be maintained. There will be new procedures in place for the bar and toilets. Names to be taken (and contact details of Guests) just in case. It’s all new and a learning curve at the moment for us all. There is plenty of outdoor seating and there will be some in the Clubhouse, too.
Come down an have social and a drink! Hopefully, there will be some cricket on too and the weather is kind to us.
Cricket to resume
2020 season to finally get underway.
Following Boris’ announcement yesterday, the ‘green light’ has been given for recreational club cricket to resume on Saturday 11th. July.
The ECB will make a further announcement early next week.
There will be new procedures put in place, which we are now awaiting further details of.
However, the Warwickshire County Cricket League have posted some details on their website and are aiming to get some form of competitive cricket underway from Saturday 18th. July. Their article can be found on the below link:
https://www.warcricket.org/wcl2018/news.php?news=3163
We shall also endeavour to arrange a friendly match at our Warwick Road Ground on Saturday 11th.July.
Playing Members are asked to let the Club know of their potential availability for the 11th. and weekend of 18th./19th. July.
Further information will be posted on here, in due course.
PROSPECTIVE PLAYERS’ NIGHT
Come and join us and the Club!
Now that lockdown restrictions have eased a little and more people can meet up and there is an increased possibility that there may be some cricket this season, the Club will be a holding an outdoor net session for prospective members on THURSDAY 25th. JUNE between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at our Ground for new potential players to come along have a net and also meet a few of the Club’s playing members.
There will be at least one outdoor lane available and possibly a grass strip on the square with a cage (that is to be confirmed) so bring footwear for both types of surfaces and is dependant on numbers.
However, don’t just turn up but please register your interest by emailing the Club beforehand at:
kenilworthcricketclub@outlook.com
as we need to manage the numbers as there are still restrictions in place and also for us to make sure that there are sufficient Club members available to meet and greet you.
Hoping to hear from prospective players and to become part of the KCC family.
Many thanks.
