Dear Members, 

It is with great sadness that I write to inform you of the sudden death of our dear friend and Vice President Caro McFarlan who died on Thursday 30th January, after a short illness. She started coming to the ground as a child when her father Bill was Chairman in the early 60’s and over the years became a valued member and friend of Middleton Stoney Cricket Club.  With her warm and sociable personality and her willingness to help wholeheartedly, Caro will be sorely missed.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to Michael and to Caro’s mother and sisters; our thoughts and prayers are with them at this sad time. 

When we have any information about funeral arrangements, I will ensure it is posted on our website. 

Kind regards, 

Peter van de Kerkhof

Chairman

Dear Fellow Club Members,  

John Deeley, our immediate past Chairman, died this morning.  

Thank you to Caro McFarlan for passing on the news. Caro will also let us know funeral arrangements as soon as they are determined. 

As Caro put it: ‘Some of you may already know but Joyce has asked me to let you know the sad, but not unexpected, news that John died this morning … A well fought innings to the end, methinks’.  

I add a couple of photos of John below, at the President’s Day this year and playing on President’s Day in 2014. 

The President, the current Chairman, John’s predecessor as Chairman and other longstanding members of the Club will have the opportunity in due course to reflect on John’s outstanding service and spirit, and I will be emailing members on other matters tomorrow, but we just wanted to make sure that those not in the immediate vicinity would hear this news from us today. 

May John rest in peace.  

With best wishes to his family and friends,

Simon Lee

We have learned today that sadly Andrew Oakes (known affectionately at the club as Lord Oakes due to his large cars and large cigars etc) passed away in May 2017.

Andrew was a splendid character at MSCC and you can read more about him in the obituary posted on the Trinity School website: http://www.trinity-school.org/news-article/news/Andrew-Oakes-1950—2017/293.

We have to report the death of a previous member, Tom Coker on New Years Eve.

Tom and his wife Sue have lived in France for the past 18 years, but prior to that, he was a Solicitor in Bicester for 30 years working as a partner at Herbert & Gowers.

Tom lived in Launton and was an active member of Oxfordshire life, at village and town level. In particular, sport was an important activity for him, he played Rugby for Bicester  and Cricket for Middleton Stoney CC. Skiing led to their move to France, where they ran a very popular chalet in Chatel, before moving close to Limoges. Their house there had 2 large lakes where his passion for Fishing continued and on occasional trips to New Zealand.

Tom was a member at MSCC from 1979 until 1996 and he was a committee member from 1980 until 1988.  He was a dependable middle order batsman and an occasional medium pace bowler.  He was however a club member in the fullest sense, his legal advice being invaluable when applying for Licences and the like. His wife, Sue, was always involved in the Tea rota and their four children were happily entertained in the grounds at Middleton whilst cricket was played.

Nick and Di Thompson

Please join Groundsmen Nick Thompson and Alan Brooks for the MSCC pre-season clean up sessions on Sat 2nd April and Sat 9th April.  All ‘muscle’ greatly appreciated to help spring clean the pavilion and its surroundings.

The clean-up days will be Sat 2^nd April and Sat 9^th April – both with a 10am prompt start.

*  *  *

The Pavilion has had a Winter “make over”, courtesy of the Davenport Family.

We have new roofing on the loos and strongroom. The loos have been repainted and equipped with new basins, urinals and toilets.

The windows have been repaired and repainted, the changing rooms given a coat of paint and the showers have been refurbished (new showerheads, push button on/off controls and an antiscald device installed)

We are extremely grateful for these improvements and the onus is on the Club to continue to maintain the fabric of the building.

*  *  *

 The water will only be turned on for the final shower installation on

Mon 4^th April so cleaning that requires water i.e. BBQ , glasses, crockery etc cannot be undertaken until Sat 9^th April .

Please note The loos will not be operational on Sat 2^nd April – no water !

Looking forward to seeing everyone this Saturday

Nick & Alan

MSCC Pre Season Tasks

• Teak oil to Benches and slip cradle (already done by Alan)
• Clear Gutters front and back
• Brush leaves off Loo roof  x 2 and strongroom roof (both renewed during Winter)
• Hoover Bar area and 2 changing rooms, then lay new(ish) carpets in both rooms (priority on Sat 2^nd April)
• Cut back undergrowth behind Pavilion – sickle etc
• Cricket net – renew netting & trim grass at base of netting
• Put up MSCC Flag
• Check and clean Scoreboard and move position so  visible from Pavilion.
• Clean BBQ (Sat 9^th April only)
• Clean refurbished Loos (male and female) (Sat 9^th April)
• Check Tea Urn working (Sat 9^th April only)
• Glasses & Crockery cleaning (Sat 9^th April only)