Chingford Cricket Club

Opening of the New Pavilion – April 1968

This article describes the scenes as the new Chingford Cricket Club pavilion was opened on Sunday 21 April 1968.

The hottest April day for 19 years and a summer-clad crowd of nearly 1000 relaxing around the Forest Side ground in the brilliant sunshine created a perfect festival setting for Sunday’s official opening of Chingford Cricket Club’s new £15,000 pavilion and the afternoon match between Doug Insole’s XI and a full strength Chingford side.

The official opening was performed by the Mayor of Waltham Forest., Cllr. David Weinstein during a break in the cricket match. With him was the Mayoress, Mrs Weinstein, another guest being Miss Waltham Forest, Jean Sharp, now ending her year’s reign. Representing Walthamstow CC was President Mr Arthur Sedgwick.

The civic leaders were welcomed by Chingford President Mr. Doug Insole.

After declaring the pavilion open, the Mayor unveiled a commemorative plaque in the lounge and bar. The plaque bears the inscription: Pavilion and Clubhouse were opened by His Worship the Mayor of Waltham Forest, Councillor David Weinstein, JP, on April 21^st, 1968.

Bouquets were presented to The Mayoress and Mrs Insole by six year old Dimity Seckar and four year old Kay Davis.

A competition attraction was a bat signed by all the England cricketers.

Above:The Chingford XI pose for the camera.

The cricket match completed a most enjoyable afternoon. Mr Insole’s eleven included new Essex left handed batsman 24 year old Lee Irvine from Durban, and other County players – skipper Brian Taylor, Mike Bear, Robin Hobbs, Keith Fletcher, Brian Edmeades, Keith Boyce, who qualified with Walthamstow – plus Chelsea Manager Dave Sexton, former Spurs footballer Eddie Bailey and Walthamstow CC skipper John Welch.

In a bright entertaining innings Doug Insole’s XI knocked up a total of 194-6, Keith Fletcher, back from a Commonwealth XI tour, hitting 63, Robin Hobbs, who toured the West Indies with the successful MCC team, getting 40, Brian Edmeades, former West Essex player collecting 51 and Lee Irvine 15.

Chingford, given an hour and 35 minutes to catch up had reached 112-7 when stumps were drawn at seven o’clock. They lost three wickets for 22, but Graham Lord (21), Steve Dinsdale (28) and Geoff Sandrock (41 not out) pushed up the score with some enterprising batting.

 D. J. Insole’s XI

Bowling:

Dennehy 1-11, Hart 2-54, Dinsdale 1-14, Brown 1-49, Lynch 0-20, Lord 0-11, Sandrock 1-32

Chingford

 Bowling: 

Boyce 4-12, Edmeades 1-12, Fletcher 0-6, Hobbs 1-50, Irvine 1-6, Sexton 0-6