Brigands End of Season Dinner at the Bat & Ball, October 2026
Players, officials and supporters gathered for a wonderful evening of camaraderie and good food at the Bat & Ball after the warmest and one of the most enjoyable summers since the Brigands were founded in 1959.
Club President, Clive Barnett, opened proceedings with Grace**;
There'll always be Broadhalfpenny
Just off Hilden Farm Lane
Where there's a pavilion small
Beside a field of grain.
There'll always be Broadhalfpenny
Where scorers sit and wait
For umpires to raise the finger
That decides the batsman's fate
Aye, there'll always be Broadhalfpenny
While the Bat and Ball stands proudly
And Jake has scored another ton
And those watching all cheer loudly
Yes, there'll always be Broadhalfpenny
And entry shall be free
If the Down means as much to you
As Broadhalfpenny means to me!
Dear Lord, For fine wine, good food and grand company, we give you thanks. Amen.
Mike Beardall and Jake Peach ran the bottle raffle, featuring some nice Geoff Hurst inpsired sparkling wine.
There was deserved praise for the officials, who make such a difference to running a successful cricket club, reflections on a lovely Summer and a pitch that is suited more to batters than bowlers after the hard work of the ground staff.
The award winners included Jake Peach (bowling and the Bernard Marshall award), Dave Henderson (batting), Jake Peach and Jim Morris (best partnership of 160), Guy Ladenburg (run outs galore), Graham Peach (Champagne Moment; that one-handed catch!).
The star award of the night, the Don Rock Trophy for Outstanding Services to the Club, went to Neil Wood after ten years of being Treasurer and doing a million other jobs behind the scenes.
A huge thank you to the Bat & Ball team for looking after us, Gerry Northwood for the words, and Richie Hay for organising and branding everything so nicely.
** With apologies to Ross Parker, Hugh Charles & Alan Mossford who wrote the patriotic "There Always Be An England" in 1939
Comments