With a big thank you to Siva Sakthivel for all his efforts in leading the Sunday XI in 2011, we are delighted to confirm that Rahul Bhatnagar has accepted our offer (could he really refuse?) to take over this vital job for the coming season.

Like all of the captains he will be in touch soon with his 'squad' to help remind them that the new season is only three-and-a-half months away and that they might like to think about their role and contribution in the coming season.

We wish Rahul all the best, and naturally the same goes to Siva, who, fully restored to fitness, can resume his many other roles (strike bowler, idiosyncratic batsman, chauffeur and agent to the stars).

Steve

Vishal Bhimjiyani is taking over as Club Captain with immediate effect. We don't think we could have a better candidate to succeed Alex. Again an OM and 1st XI regular, Vish will bring his trademark energy and enthusiasm to bear.

So nice that people are stepping up to fil these roles, and also that they are so well suited to those roles.

You'll be hearing from him soon!

All, the unthinkable has happened! There's no Book in the TCC/TMCC management chain! Surely there's a by-law somewhere which means that not possible!

And yet... Alex Book has been Club Captain since the merger in 2008, initially a joint appointment with Andrew Blincoe, and then as CC with Rizwan Siddiqui as his deputy. However, juggling the commitments of work, a young family and his cricket club role have proved difficult, and something had to give. Gayle said he couldn't give Joshua away so it was us.

Alex has worked tirelessly to bring the club into the modern era, while recognising that not everything 'old' has to be chucked out with the bathwater.  A TCC 1st XI skipper at an early age, he led the side with charm and no little steel and naturally progressed to a more elevated role. He may concede that recently his responsibilities affected his own playing success and obviously we hope he will be back scoring shedloads of runs very soon.

In interesting times Alex's communication and mediation skills have been utterly invaluable and he has been the voice of reason to counteract some less temperate characters. His long-term connection with TCC (I first played with him in 1995 when he was very young and I was a bit less old than I am now) and TMCC (always with responsibilities out of proportion to his years) mean he's perfectly entitled to take a back seat and recharge his batteries.

I'm sure he'll be in touch to keep you posted, not least on plans for another pre-season tour, after the success of Malaga 2011.

Meanwhile Jeremy is said to be keeing a low profile.

Alex: thanks.

Steve

We're delighted to say that (despite not being quite sure how big his feet actually are) Justin LeFort has been appointed 1st XI Captain for the 2012 season, though his behind-the-scenes work will start almost immediately.

Justin of course has been a 1st XI regular for a little while now since re-joining from Brondesbury, is one of our top batsmen, one who can bowl of course, and is an Old Millhillian.

He has a big job succeeding Shaun, of course, but in meetings with the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman, the Club Captain (of which more later) and the 2nd XI captain, Justin has impressed with his plans and obvious level of commitment. He'll be in touch very soon but for now can we say again how delighted we are that Justin is so keen to get on with the job.

Cheers Justin! Steve

TMCC is always keen to welcome new playing and social members. Our low membership fees give you access to all club facilities and, if you're looking for a great, friendly, well organised place to play cricket, whatever your standard, then Totteridge Millhillians CC is the place for you!

The 2011 rates were:

Adult Men: £100 / £80 if paid before June
Adult Women: £50 / £40
Juniors (U16): £50 / £40
Concessions: £50 / £40
Social Membership: £25

The 2012 rates will be agreed at the AGM early in the new year.

Contact Chairman Stewart Wernham on 07870 357 492 or s.f.wernham@gmail.com.

OK so I just made that bit up but we'll be open at about 8.00 (a.m.) on Saturday so we can watch the rugby, have some breakfast, and then do some work around the place, including giving the roller a new paint job.

Serious bit, with apologies to David Hopps...

"All cricketers must take the lead in recognising that it is not enough just to play and go. They need to embrace a club in all its forms: run the juniors, assist with fundraising, stand for committee, paint the pavilion. There is an awful lot you can do - while that could include going into the bar and buying a few drinks, it needn't. Without this communal commitment, without this sense of true belonging to a club, we will be for ever condemned to divisions between those who do (contribute fully) and those who don't: to putting up with sub-standard facilities and recycling old arguments".

Steve

PS Mark and I celebrate our joint birthday in three weeks .... news on celebrations to follow ...

Dear All,

We are proposing to carry out various works at the club each Saturday for the next few months from about 11am until probably mid-afternoon [followed by a beer and a bite to eat].

There is a great deal to do: lots of painting and decorating both inside and out, clearing of vegetation and general tidying up. [Suggest you wear old clothes/footwear and bring a change of clothes.]

We do need volunteers to help out so PLEASE come along on at least a couple of Saturdays before next season.

Also, we need lots of help to set up on firework day [Friday 4th November], our biggest fund raising event of the year, so if you can make time to help out, even for just an hour or so, please let myself or Steve know.

Hope to see you on Saturday and/or in a future work party.

Best wishes,

Stewart

FROM THE ASHES

 

We will be having a private screening of “From The Ashes”

Relive 1981 - Botham, Willis, Gower, Brearley, Lillee, Alderman et al

http://www.fromtheashesthefilm.com/

 

On Friday 9^th September 2011

Commencing:  8 pm

 

All Welcome.  Food Available.