Fellow Dolphins,
In 1944 a cricket club was formed out of the social activities of the Harpenden High Street Methodist Church - originally named the Harpenden Methodist Cricket Club. Fifteen years later, in 1959, the club broke its links with the Methodist Church and changed its name to Harpenden Dolphins Cricket Club. There has been much speculation about the derivation of the "Dolphins" name but the reality is that it was borrowed from the name of the house in Wood End Lane where lived Bernard Jones, stalwart player, tireless committee member in many roles and, at that time, captain of the club. Since then the Dolphins have prided themselves on playing social and friendly cricket - and we have continued that trend since joining the Hertfordshire Cricket League in 2001.
And so, in 2014, Harpenden Dolphins CC celebrates its 70th anniversary. The current club committee are keen to recognise this milestone in the club's history, most notably with an end of season dinner dance to which all Dolphins, past and present, will be most welcome.
The purpose of this note is to remind you of the significance of this anniversary season and to make you aware of the events the committee is planning. Specifically I also wish to gauge interest in and commitment to a brief "tour", likely to take place over the Whitsun bank holiday.
I have listed below some of the social events we are planning. More details will follow in due course but I hope it serves as a little appetiser for the spring and summer months ahead:
- Captain's evening - a chance to catch up pre-season over a beer or two, in a pub in Harpenden, perhaps followed by an informal curry. This is likely to take place one Friday evening in March.
- Pre-Season Quiz - Following the success of the quiz evening in 2013 we are planning another, to take place in the pavilion of Harpenden CC, just before the start of the season. Last year quiz team tables were made up of 6-8 people, with a fish and chip supper and a raffle. Subject to securing the venue we hope to hold the quiz on Friday 25 April.
- End of Season Dinner - This event will be the focal point of the 70th anniversary season, to feature a dinner dance at Aldwickbury Park Golf Club. We hope it will be a great opportunity to gather together Dolphins players and their families from many playing era's and hence round off the season in style. Again subject to venue hire we anticipate holding this dinner dance on Saturday 13 September.
Of course I shall be delighted (and honoured) to host Presidents Day again and we shall set a date for this once we have determined interest in that "tour" over the late May bank holiday.
Which brings me to a brief reminiscence and a request. A generation ago - c.1990/91 - the social committee of the time organised a cricket tour to the Isle of Wight. Perhaps uniquely, this cricket tour included players wives and partners (in fact they were probably the original WAG's). The tour (party!) began the moment the minibuses left Harpenden and continued over the Solent and through a long weekend. Much merriment and larking about followed - and some cricket. This was followed by a subsequent tour to the Isle of Wight and further annual visits to places such as Wiltshire, Dorset and Norfolk. Legends and nicknames were born in those days and remain in circulation to this day. Those later tours were expanded to include WAGAK's (Wives and Girlfriends and Kid's).
I would like to gauge your interest in bringing your families along for a brief 70th anniversary "tour". The suggestion is for a match, evening meal and an overnight stay in a hotel on Sunday 25 May. Options for the venue would include Kent, Norfolk, Suffolk etc - somewhere reachable in a few hours by car on that Sunday morning. Costs would be limited to the overnight hotel stay and the evening meal - plus drinks. One might budget c.£60 per head; slightly less for children sharing a room. Please will you let me know if you are interested in joining a tour of this scale - and how many places you would like - BY SATURDAY 1 FEBRUARY. If we have enough interest and I am able to secure a fixture and venue, then I shall seek an immediate deposit to secure your place(s).
The viability of the tour will determine the exact date of Presidents Day and further communications will be shared once all is clear.
I hope that this brief message heightens the appetite of the current players for the season ahead, re-ignites the Dolphins passion and spirit for those past players (wherever in the globe you may be) and encourages you to be part of the 70th anniversary season in whatever way you choose. Everyone will be most welcome at any of our home matches at Rothamsted Park, in the bar on a Saturday evening or at any of the social events we have planned - and especially at Presidents Day and the 70th anniversary season dinner dance.
With warm wishes to you and your families,
Kind regards
Graham
President
Harpenden Dolphins CC