Fifty years ago on the morning of Wednesday 1st May 1968 our pavilion was burnt down. Nothing higher than 3 feet from the ground remained. Some urgent telephone calls to London and around Sussex were made and most of the Committee met that evening at the White Harte. It was unanimously agreed that no matches would be cancelled and the game on Saturday against Rottingdean was played, the teams using the Girl Guides tent for changing. Furthermore a sectionalised pavilion was erected within three months and was in use for cricket week complete with bar. A player from that era who attended the AGM in 2017 sensed with much satisfaction that the spirit of the Club had not changed since 1968.

Question: What piece of equipment survived the fire and is still in use?

I write the above to emphasise how very fortunate we are to have such great facilities for which past and present members have worked so hard. Let us ensure that standard is maintained.

Whilst congratulating the 1st XI on coming 3rd in the Premier League there were two other cricketing events which marked 2017.

Firstly there was The All Stars Cricket for boys and girls aged 5-9 years old initiated by the ECB. Anyone who visitied the ground on a Friday evening would have seen up to 80 cars, 50-70 young cricketers, 8 coaches and numerous parents having a drink and enjoying the BBQ. Our thanks to Alan Carroll who took on the organisation, Tim Mole the motivator and all those who volunteered to run the BBQ and bar. The atmosphere at the ground (especially when a team from Holland stayed on after their earlier game) promised much for the future of the club.

Secondly, our Under 19s despite being a young side were unbeaten in the County Competition until losing to Hellingly in the final. Well done George GG, his team and the manager Nick Patterson.

I cannot close without mentioning the passing of two long-time members. In April 2017 came the death of Colonel John Buckeridge a fervent supporter of our juniors since 1978 when Ian and James began playing at Cuckfield. The Colonel had a distinguished war record and his vocal encouragement will be sorely missed. Then very recently he was followed by Peg Swain who came to the village as a child when her father "Stuch" took over The White Hart.

She was connected to the Club for nearly 90 years, helping Stuch on the ground, as scorer (latterly for the Over 40s including our trip to Brisbane in 1988) and as a revered vice-President.

May I wish you and all the teams an enjoyable and successful season.

Geoffrey Longfield