Report

Annual General Meeting

Following the completion of our official business of the AGM the highlight of the morning was a talk by one of our members Jack Swindells about his love for and his participation in cricket. Whether being hit on the head and knocked out by a cricket ball at the age of three had any influence on his future interest is debateable but it was the start of his connection with Macclesfield Cricket Club. He played his cricket in the Cheshire and Lancashire League and would probably have played for Cheshire but for the intervention of a chap called Hitler. Although not a cricketer himself Hitler was influential in the lives of many cricketers during the 1940’s, most of it to their disadvantage but just occasionally to their benefit. Jack’s benefit was an overseas trip caused by the war that enabled him to visit Durban test match ground and play cricket in Cairo .

After the war he settled in Burton on Trent and became a close friend of his next door neighbour an old blind gentleman called Wilfred Rhodes. This great England and Yorkshire cricketer was at that time living with his daughter and son in law. Jack told us of his visits to matches both local and test matches with Mr Rhodes and his fascination with the stories he was told. And now the members who were present at the AGM can boast that they know a man that knew Wilfred Rhodes.

Following Jack, Gordon Wooliscroft gave us a very interesting account of one of his hobbies. Collecting walking sticks could be described as a pedestrian hobby but Gordon’s enthusiasm and varied collection showed it to be far more interesting than a slow plod through time.

The only two changes made at the meeting were the moves of Keith Foster to President and Clive Moynes to Chairman. They will preside over our next meeting on Thursday 2^nd April in The Main Hall of Otley Civic Centre at 10-00am when Mr A Bloomer will tell us about “Our Power Stations”.