***Important update 2024/2025 New membership/Renewal ***
***Early Bird Offer***
Renew or take out new membership before the 30th June 2024 for a reduced rate of £29.50 per member or £49.00 for Adult joint membership (2 members living at the same address).
Please click on the link to message our Membership Secretary Roy Taylor (membership@cheltenhamcricketsociety.co.uk) to organise this for you.
2024/25 Membership Application
2024/25 Application Form (pdf)
James Taylor 03 April 2024
Former England batsman and current Leicestershire batting coach James Taylor graced and entertained a packed CCS audience at the last of the speaker events of the Winter/ Spring season of 2023/24. Our autumn season begins in October 2024.
Please click on the Gallery link here or in the top menu to view additional photos.
All images courtesy of Pete Wilson.
Stephen Chalke 06 March 2024
A regular and popular guest, CCS Vice President and award winning author Stephen Chalke mesmerised members with extracts and the stories behind his latest publication “Footprints: David Foot’s Lifetime of Writing”.
The book, a collection of the works of award winning West Country journalist and author David Foot spans the full range of his work on memorable events and the greats of cricket, football, boxing and even theatre and local history. With no need for a microphone and with dramatic aplomb Stephen brought extracts from this collection of works from his friend David Foot to life and truly reflected David’s observation and literary skills but also his fascination with human nature both joyous, at times dark but always inspirational.
Mike Procter : 1946 – 2024
Cally Barlow, Cheltenham Cricket Society President, has kindly provided a heart warming and unique tribute to a true cricketing legend, servant of the game and friend.
“Mike who?” He said
“You know that guy who bowled off the wrong foot.”
“Oh you mean the Rhodesian all rounder who they named a county after, Proctershire wasn’t it?”
“Yeah but he was born and raised in Durban. Played for Rhodesia though as it was a Cricket province of South Africa in those days.”
“Played for South Africa too didn’t he?”
“Yup but not for long as they were banned.”
“Ah yes along with all his mates.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Well, sadly he died a few weeks ago, only 77. Those of us who knew him and those who only watched him will miss him. Taken far too young and when he was doing such amazing work with his Foundation for underprivileged children outside Durban.”
“That’s shocking and sad for the children. I hope someone carries it on.”
“Another great the wrong side of the earth but we should look on the bright side.”
“There is a bright side?”
“Oh yes. He’ll now be shoring up the South African Heaven’s XI and making them as invincible as the team he played in in the 1960s – and sinking a few reds with them all.”
“Go well Proccie. You shone your light brightly and gave pleasure to thousands.”
Cally Barlow, February 2024
Paul Farbrace 07 February 2024
Paul Farbrace entertained the CCS members with stories and anecdotes from his time as a first class cricket player, coach, media pundit and even a stint as a goalkeeper for Coventry City FC when Bobby Gould was the manager.
Whilst at Kent, Paul was mentored by his wicket keeping hero, Kent and England legend Alan Knott and also realised a childhood ambition of a “caught Farbrace bowled Derek Underwood” appearing on the match scorecard. Knowledgeable and experienced as a coach at County and International level Paul candidly answered questions on the skills and experience that a coach can impart, but also the importance of learning, support and encouragement for players to flourish. Interestingly an approach which is very much evident in the leadership and management styles of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.
Kevin Sharp 10 January 2024
Kevin Sharp, the former Yorkshire batter and coach at Yorkshire and Worcestershire opened our 2024 spring season. 47 years of experience in the game allowed Kevin to entertain the CCS members with humorous anecdotes related to amongst others, Geoffrey Boycott and Joe Root, share his personal experience of how getting hit in the face when batting affected his confidence as well as give his thoughts on some of the pertinent issues within cricket today such as fixture scheduling and the Yorkshire racism saga.
Ian “Gunner” Gould 06 December 2023
A thoroughly enjoyable evening with our Guest speaker Ian “Gunner” Gould. He had the CCS audience in raptures of laughter with stories told in a wonderfully engaging and humorous style. Ian shared tales of his upbringing, journey into sport as a goal keeper for Slough and Arsenal and then as a batter/wicket keeper for Middlesex, Sussex, England and then his transition into World class umpiring. It was a pleasure to have a guest that has had such a varied experience at the highest levels with many of the cricketing greats but also as an umpire officiating at some of the most significant and memorable International matches.
Mark Robinson 01 November 2023
An excellent evening with Warwickshire CCC head coach Mark Robinson. Entertaining, thoughtful and humble, Mark shared and reflected on his career but also his approach to coaching and people management. The latter, was very evident in his handling of the insightful and entertaining Q&A session.
Derek Pringle 04 October 2023
Derek Pringle kicked off our 2023/24 season in style to new and existing members with a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining visual presentation. By sharing photographs he has taken of his peers and those involved in the game Derek was able to provide his “first hand” insights into the many greats of the game and classic matches he has been a part of.
David Gower OBE 02 August 2023
David Gower OBE was a huge success at the Cheltenham Cricket Society 40th Anniversary celebration on 2nd August 2023. After a highly entertaining and informative speech and Q&A session, David kindly stayed behind to sign treasured books, memorabilia and partake in the odd selfie.
Next meeting: October 2024 (Date Tbc) at 7:30pm (doors open at 7:00pm) –
Venue : The Victory Club, Lypiatt Road, Cheltenham GL50 2SY
2023/24 PROGRAMME : Dates and speakers
Please click on the speaker’s name to open the pen portrait
| Wed. 04 Oct: Derek Pringle – ex Cambridge University, Essex and England all-rounder plus journalism with The Independent and The Daily Telegraph. |
| Wed. 01 Nov: Mark Robinson OBE – a bowler for Northants, Yorkshire and Sussex and a highly successful coach with Sussex, England Women and currently Warwickshire. |
| Wed. 06 Dec: Ian “Gunner” Gould – a wicket-keeper for Middlesex and Sussex and an international umpire for 74 Tests, 140 ODIs and 37 T20Is. |
| Wed. 10 Jan: Kevin Sharp – ex Yorkshire batter, batting coach and Head Coach until recently at Worcestershire. |
| Wed. 07 Feb: Paul Farbrace – ex Kent and Middlesex wicket-keeper, ex Assistant Coach for England, ex Sporting Director at Warwickshire and currently Head Coach at Sussex. |
| Wed. 06 Mar: Stephen Chalke acclaimed writer and publisher and a regular guest at CCS talks about his new book “Footprints: David Foot’s Lifetime of Writing”. |
| Wed. 03 Apr: James Taylor ex Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and England and now batting coach at Leicestershire. |
| 2024 AGM – Date to be confirmed |
2023/24 Membership Application
New members may join at any time.
Adult Single: £29.50 (until 30 June) or £32.50 thereafter
Adult Joint (two Members at the same address): £49.00
2023/24 Application Form (pdf)
If you don’t have a printer or scanner then please email the information requested on the above form to our Membership Secretary, Roy Taylor. (membership@cheltenhamcricketsociety.co.uk)
For further information please contact our Membership Secretary, Roy Taylor
Members’ Guests
It may be possible for Members to bring guests to meetings but, to avoid disappointment, they must notify the Secretary in advance. The maximum number of guests, per meeting, is limited to 10 due to the capacity of our venue.
Guest Fee: £6.00