Outdoor Training
Outdoor training resumes again on Tuesday evening at Freuchie Cricket Ground. All players please be there for 6:30pm when the blood, sweat and tears starts by way of preparation for another season of top flight cricket.
Fun at the Club–18th March 2011
Friday nite fun club returns this Friday with ‘BINGO!’.
For younger members and those that are young at heart,
Eyes down at 7:30pm.
Keep track of all that’s happening on the Freuchie Cricket Club Facebook page.
An Investment in Freuchie
A fund given to Freuchie by Campion Homes has helped us to buy a replacement outfield mower. Our new workhorse arrived this morning, on a rain soaked day more suited to ducks than the cutting of grass.
Photos: Groundsman Dave Christie says farewell to the auld mower and welcomes our new workhorse on a rainy Freuchie day
Administered by Freuchie Community Council, the money is intended to be used for the benefit of the whole village, and this mower does just that. The park is one of Freuchie’s major assets and is used by the whole village, but not everyone realises that the Cricket Club provides all the effort to keep it clean and to cut the grass, as well as paying for all associated costs – including rates. We are grateful to Campion Homes and Freuchie Community Council for this contribution to the heavy costs of maintaining the park. Our staff photographer was on the spot to see the new mower arriving and the old one going away (to the big outfield in the sky?)
Photos: New mower arrives
Photos: Dave’s last ride on auld faithful and he says farewell as she is loaded onto the back of the van
Photos: Dave gets the new workhouse out of the rain
Now’s Your Chance
Please send your photos and thoughts from Freuchie’s Glorious Weekend to gala@freuchiecricketclub.com. We’d love to hear your stories and see your snaps. The best will be shared in a future blog post.
Technorati Tags: Freuchie, Freuchie Cricket Club, Freuchie’s Glorious Weekend
Freuchie Community Council
Patrick Laughlin, Chairman of Freuchie Community Council, praised Freuchie’s Glorious Weekend earlier this evening at the monthly community council meeting. He thanked everyone involved with the event, with some special recognition going to Helen Lawrenson and the Freuchie Cricket Club coaching staff for all their hard work on the Saturday.
He did ask that we try to win another trophy so we can have a repeat of the celebrations. The challenge has been made!
A big thanks go to Freuchie Community Council for purchasing one of the 1908-2008 Freuchie Cricket Club books for the community. The book will be made available for viewing in the library.
Technorati Tags: Freuchie, Freuchie Cricket Club, Freuchie Community Council, Helen Lawrenson, Patrick Laughlin
Howzat?!
One of the highlights from the Glorious Weekend’s closing ceremony was the unveiling (used figuratively) of a stunning portrait of Dave Christie holding The Village Cup back in 1985. For once painting and Freuchie Cricket Club were mentioned without Dave feeling the urge to pick up a paint brush in one hand and a tin of emulsion in the other.
Local artist James Fretwell presents a portrait to Dave Christie
We asked the artist, Freuchie’s own James Fretwell, about his inspiration, process and reasoning for producing such a beautiful piece of art.
James replied:
How could I borrow Dave’s 1985 tie for reference purposes, without arousing his suspicions?
How could I ask him why he’s the only team member who hasn’t got his jacket buttoned on the Grace Gates photo, without appearing rude?
How could I look into his eyes to see what colour they are, without him getting the wrong idea about me?!
And my answer to anyone who asks why I’ve painted Dave’s portrait is simple:
“How could I NOT?”
Portrait of Dave Christie holding The Village Cup in 1985
James must have spent many hours on this labour of love for it certainly brings to life the admiration and affection Freuchie has for Dave “Dad” Christie.
When asked for his feelings on the gift, Dave responded:
"Superb!"
We’ll hang it in the house for the time being, although it may be so big we’ll have to think about building an extension!
I’m delighted that James based it on the 1985 photograph and has given me more hair and fewer wrinkles than I have today.
My daughter (Linda) says that she wouldn’t want it on her wall because she’d feel her dad was watching her all the time!
(Editor’s comment: We suppose that’s a rather back-handed compliment, but it’s a sincere compliment nonetheless).
Dave has suggested that at some stage, the painting might be hung in the club.
Technorati Tags: Dave Christie, Freuchie, Freuchie Cricket Club, James Fretwell, The Village Cup
Back to School
The Lords’ team was sent back to Freuchie Primary School on Sunday afternoon. Had Fife Council Education Services finally tracked down those Freuchie lads who had spent way too much time on the cricket field? Certainly not! Their presence was required at a tree planting ceremony commemorating their 1985 achievement.
Commemoration plaque secured to the school wall
Elizabeth Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, was enthusiastic about taking part in Freuchie’s Glorious Weekend celebration of the Lords’ victory. Liz, who is no stranger to cricket, is a former member of the Scottish Ladies Cricket X1, a Governor of George Watson’s College in Edinburgh, Deputy Convener of the Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Sport, a coach of two girls’ cricket teams and has been an admirer of Freuchie Cricket Club’s achievements for many years.
Elizabeth Smith MSP at Freuchie’s Glorious Weekend
Liz was delighted to be involved in the tree planting ceremony and spoke of the wonderful cooperation in Freuchie between village, club and school to the benefit of the whole community:
"I remember the famous Lords’ occasion in September 1985 very well indeed. It was an extraordinary achievement by the 13 men from Freuchie and a real boost for Scottish cricket, the benefits of which I believe we are still enjoying 25 years on. In particular, I congratulate Freuchie Cricket Club on its youth development programme and on its strong links with the local primary school in the grounds of which 13 fruit trees will be planted to celebrate the 1985 victory. That feature is a terrific link between the cricket stars of the past as those of the future."
Side note: The club hopes to arrange a match next summer with Liz’s under 14 girls team, so come on Freuchie girls start training now, the facilities are there.
The tree planting delegation and VIPs listens to Liz Smith’s tribute
Left to Right: Ann Duncan (wife of Alan Duncan), George Crichton, Stewart Irvine, Mark Wilkie, Dave Cowan, Fraser Irvine, Sir Menzies Campbell MP, Dave Christie, Brian Christie, Andy Crichton, Elizabeth Smith MSP, Bob McFarlane (President, Cricket Scotland) and his daughter and Pete Hepplewhite
Formalities complete, it was down to the Lords’ players and their representatives to plant the new fruit orchard.
[ Click on any photograph to see a larger version ]
Davie Cowan aka “Coo” plants a Pear “Williams” tree
Ann Duncan plants an Apple “Tydeman’s Early” on behalf of her hubby Alan aka “Duffers”
Ann had a starring role in the 1985 BBC and STV documentaries which were running in the clubhouse all weekend, courtesy of the broadcasters and Black Light.
Editor’s comment: It was noted Alan didn’t turn up until after Mr 60 Minutes had finished up for the day and gone home. Could this be another “Stig” type identity? Just a thought!
Mark Wilkie plants a Pear “"Williams” with headteacher Rona MacLean-Ross keeping a watchful eye for any misbehaviour
Pete Hepplewhite plants a Pear “Conference” tree
Stewart Irvine aka “Jasper” plants an Apple “Blenheim Orange” tree
Brian Christie puts an Apple “Ellison’s Orange” into the ground
Fraser Irvine plants an Apple “Blenheim Orange”
George Crichton jokingly asks, “Where’s the rest of it?”, as he plants an Apple “Charles Ross” tree
Club President Ian Paterson aka “Patsy” is honoured to plant a Cherry “Stella” tree on behalf of Niven McNaughton
Editor’s comment: The tree planting was really motoring at this point! Our photographer wasn’t getting a moment to line up the shots before the tree was planted and it was onto the next one. Please send us any better photos you may have of Patsy planting this tree.
Many people expressed their delight to see Niven had managed along to the club on the Sunday even if someone had to stand in for him at the tree planting ceremony.
Andy Crichton plants an Apple “Charles Ross”
Dave “Dad” Christie gets help from Jasper to plant an Apple “Ellison’s Orange” tree
Davie Houston aka “Housty” plants a Pear “Williams” on behalf of George Wilson… but where’s Robbie!
And finally…
Alan Wood of Norsk Hydro, a sponsor of the 1980’s, plants an Apple “Bramley” on behalf of Terry Trewartha
Gasp! Job done and it was time to watch Freuchie beat Falkland.
The Daily Record produced an excellent reunion article earlier in the week which provides a little background on each player and their contribution to the victorious Village Cup run. We heartedly recommend you take a look if you’ve not already done so.
Once again there are so many people to thank for making this special commemoration possible: headteacher Rona Maclean-Ross; the pupils and the staff of the school; our invited VIP guests; the Lords’ squad and their representatives. There is also a long list of people who shovelled and trundled barrows around to prepare the ground: David Girdwood; Andy Mather; Mrs.Lesley Thomson; Mrs. Catriona Nimmo; Mrs. Wendy Simpson; Gill Milne; Mrs. Cam McIvor and Scott McCrone. Thank you one and all.
It is heartening to see the Fife Council Community Payback Offender’s Scheme being used for such good work in our little village. A big show of appreciation to the staff and clients of the service who also put in so much hard work.
Members of the community who missed the start of the Freuchie vs Falkland 20/20 match to watch the ceremony should also be thanked for choosing to come along to witness this historic moment.
Editor’s comment: Hopefully we’ve not missed anyone out!
One final thing, the man from Del Monte has been on the phone and he says “Yes”! – for those too young to remember the advertising campaign, you can check out this advert on YouTube.
Technorati Tags: Alan Duncan, Ann Duncan, Brian Christie, cricket, Dave Christie, Dave Cowan, Davie Houston, Fraser Irvine, Freuchie, Freuchie Cricket Club, Freuchie Primary School, George Crichton, George Wilson, Liz Smith MSP, Mark Wilkie, Niven McNaughton, Pete Hepplewhite, Sir Menzies Campbell MP, Stewart Irvine
Not ‘Glorious’ – FABULOUS!
This was billed as ‘Freuchie’s Glorious Weekend.’ As it turned out, ‘glorious’ didn’t do it justice. If there’s any truth in the old crack that a Scotsman’s highest praise is “no’ bad,” this was indeed – no’ bad!
One of the main features of Saturday’s Family Fun Day was the official opening of the new Sports Court, even if it’s likely to retain its now unofficial title of ‘the MUGA.’
‘Taster Sessions’ were on offer – was that not supposed to be about sampling the sporting activities rather than scran?
Patrick Laughlin, Chairman of Freuchie Community Council, kicks off the MUGA opening ceremony whilst Dave Christie and Cllr Andrew Arbuckle wait nervously for their parts to come…
Dave Christie cuts the ceremonial ribbon ably assisted by Cllr Andrew Arbuckle and Mr 60 Minutes, whilst every kid in Freuchie enthusiastically crowds around.
Freuchie Cricket Club coaches teach key skills to our youngsters during the Kwik Cricket Taster session.
The activity tents with Freuchie Church as a back drop.
The new Player’s Disciplinary Unit? Or the new dressing rooms?
Just Chillin’ in the Freuchie sunshine
Great crowds, great weather and good fun all round.
Sunday was more about cricket, with a T20 game against Falkland and the official launch of our book “Freuchie Cricket Club, 1908 – 2008.” Events were opened by Sir Menzies Campbell, attention initially divided between the cricket and a ceremonial tree-planting in the school playground to commemorate the thirteen players in the Lord’s squad. No less than nine of them were at the ceremony.
Sir Menzies Campbell opens events on the Sunday
….. but what on earth is Coo looking at?
“And dae ye mind yon time ….?
The closing ceremony with Sir Menzies Campbell, our president Ian Paterson, the irreplaceable Dave Christie and Cricket Scotland president Bob ‘Faff’ McFarlane.
We’re betting this blanket has a story or two to tell…
Like so many days of the kind, it’s hard to do justice to all the people who worked to make this weekend what it was, but we have to mention Helen Lawrenson and her team for much of Saturday’s events, Rachel and Dave Tosh for the catering, our bar staff, the players who ran Saturday’s sports for the kids, Falkland Cricket Club for joining us on the Sunday, Liz Smith MSP, Sir Menzies Campbell MP, our local councillors and Bob McFarlane, Scott McCrone for ‘The Book,’ (all but five of our fifty copies already spoken for) Jock and Black Light for the Lord’s video display – the list just goes on and on. And we finished the day with a win over our old rivals, Falkland. What more could a body ask for!
Over the next few days we’ll be adding more blog posts with even more photos and commentary from the weekend.
Technorati Tags: Freuchie, Freuchie Cricket Club, Cricket Scotland, Falkland Cricket Club, Liz Smith, Menzies Campbell, MUGA, Scott McCrone
Media Roundup
Articles and blog posts related to the build up and during the Glorious Weekend are detailed below.
- In pictures: Little Freuchie Cricket Club – 25 and not out
- Reunited after 25 years.. the Scots who shook the world of cricket
- Freuchie Sports Court now open!
- New orchard commemorates ‘Freuchie’s Glorious Weekend’
- Freuchie’s Celebratory Cricket Match
- From the archives: Fabulous Freuchie win at Lords’
- From the archives: Freuchie cricket glory
- Freuchie Cricket Club to relive Lord’s glory of 1985
- Bowled over by Freuchie’s Lords’ heroes
We will revisit this blog post over the coming days as we become aware of other links to relevant articles.
Technorati Tags: Daily Record, Freuchie, Freuchie Cricket Club, Smart Community Fife, The Courier, The Scotsman
The Courier’s Tribute
The Courier has paid tribute on their website to the 25th anniversary of Freuchie’s cricket victory at Lord’s.
The report from Thursday’s newspaper can be found here:
They’ve also reproduced the full report from The Village Cup victory of 1985 here:
Finally, they’ve put together a wee gallery of pics from 1985 here:
A job well done by our friends at The Courier. Thank you.
Technorati Tags: cricket, Freuchie, Freuchie Cricket Club, Lord’s, The Courier, The Village Cup