Thank you to everyone who came to our celebration of youth cricket yesterday. We were honoured that Theresa Peltier, High Sheriff in 2023-24 and now the Deputy Lieutenant of Derbyshire, who lives in Wirksworth, was with us for this celebration.
It is now fifty years since Wirksworth Cricket Club first played a youth league fixture - U18s in May 1975 against Belper Amateurs.
More than 500 youngsters have turned out over the years for the club youth teams and most of the those playing in the 20:20 were those who have continued to play cricket, either here in Wirksworth or elsewhere. This summer, we had over 50 very young, new cricketers aged between 5 and 11 learning how to bowl, bat and catch, as well as youth teams at U11, U13 and U15 and the key will be to keep these youngsters with us. Youth cricket would not happen without all the support of coaches, managers, helpers and parents over the years and we are indebted to them.
It is also 40 years since the 1st X1 won the Silver Link Cup Final at Denby on 18 August 1985. Wirksworth beat Wingerworth by 62 runs and the score sheet records a famous victory by a very strong, mostly young team, five fresh from youth cricket. This was a key moment in the history of the club.
Three people had been planning this event all year and huge thanks go to Jack Ritchie, Jack Redfern and Roy Pearce for managing The President’s Eleven for Richard Needham, the victorious Life President’s Eleven for Neil Doxey and organising everything else which goes into an event like this. Thank you as well to everyone who played, Jason our scorer, the umpires, the groundsmen, the caterers, the bar staff, Amy who organised the raffle and everyone who has helped make it a such a successful day.
There is a new Celebration Bench to the right of the pavilion next to Maurice’s bench if anyone would like to sit and reflect on the immense benefits of the game of cricket. As well as developing physical fitness and mental skills, it provides a safe place to meet new people, build friendships, and participate in a vibrant community.
Today, our youngest senior team player is 13 and our oldest is 70 years old - cricket creates strong, lasting bonds and a shared passion between individuals as well as a lifetime of fun and friendship. And it was lovely to see that yesterday with all the players, families and friends of Wirksworth & Middleton CC.
Thanks to Joe Bradbury who was very busy with his camera and I hope we can post some of these photos soon. Mike has also put together a presentation of youth cricket which can be seen on the following link - it is a fantastic visual history of youth cricket through the years.

https://sway.cloud.microsoft/qWH61BDRWhhP1Rn2