THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE — www.findonvillage.com created by Valerie Martin, contains scenes from her home village of Findon, West Sussex, U.K.

GOLDEN OLDIES

Copyright Valerie Martin 2004

In August 1986 the International Golden Oldies Cricket Festival for cricketers worldwide over the age of forty years) ended its week in the village of Findon with great triumph.

Sporting stars from the past had taken time off during the week from the Golden Oldies Cricket to play a celebrity round of golf at Worthing Golf Club.   The fairway at the club saw Australian and New Zealand test cricketers mingling with the Worthing golfers and Findon boys.   The Australian fast bowler, Ray Lindwall, and Surrey wicket keeper, Arnold Long, were among those to tee off during the day.  

There was an early start at 8.15 a.m. with the first players battling with the wind and rain as they went round the course.   But the sun always shines on the righteous and it came out for the afternoon teams.

By 4 p.m. the 64 golfers had returned to the clubhouse to await the final results — all having completed the 18 holes.   The star of the day turned out to be Josh Gifford who scored forty points to win the overall first prize.  (Incidentally, Josh also had an Open Day at his stables during the festival week).

Findon Cricket Club also  staged a festival match between Somers Isle Cricket Club, Bermuda, and Maori Cricket Club, the Kiwi exile side from Worcester Park in Surrey.

The concluding Sunday festival cricket match between Findon Golden Oldies and Southern California (which incidentally, Findon won) provided the amusement element of the week when 18-stone wicket-keeper "Popeye" (Adolph Shirley), ripped his cricket slacks — which promptly fell down during the match.  Players from India, Sri Lanka, Canada and the West Indies made up the Southern Californian cricketers.

Some £500 was raised for the Spastics Society and cystic fibrosis sufferers from an organised lottery .....and collections made at the match.   Findon's Grand National winner, Aldaniti did his bit and gave rides and was photographed to raise money for charity.

Among those attending the game were the Worthing Mayor and Mayoress, Michael and Pat Parkin, and chairman of the Arun District Council, Geoffrey McWilliam.

In January 1988 Findon cricketers complained about the noise from kennels and a cattery near their Long Furlong ground.   Seems to have been a strange complaint for mid-winter! 

News that the owner of the Huntsman Cattery and Kennels wanted to add 16 more kennels sparked off the latest concerns it seems.   The Arun District Council received strong objections from the club about the premises which took in 36 dogs.   Members of the Planning and Economic Development Committee heard that barking canines often spoilt the enjoyment of cricket matches.

Continue if you would like to read about Findon's Footballers of the Past.

This is Findon Village — www.findonvillage.com is a continually growing record created by Valerie Martin exclusively for documenting life in Findon.