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this size were able to be sustained is incredible and<br />
a testament to some key individuals, too many to<br />
name all, but certainly previous Chairman like David<br />
Ascroft and Harold Gaskell were driving forces.’<br />
Highfield Cricket Club has also seen some famous<br />
faces pass through its doors – although not all<br />
of them were famous for their cricketing skills.<br />
‘We have had a very strong link with <strong>Wigan</strong> rugby<br />
league club over the years, and Billy Boston proved<br />
to be a very quick opening bowler and consistent<br />
performer for Highfield even when still playing<br />
rugby professionally.’ Boston, who spent fifteen<br />
years playing for <strong>Wigan</strong>, took around 160 wickets for<br />
Highfield’s first team between 1956 and 1961. Jim<br />
Sullivan, boasting a career that spanned 25 years<br />
at <strong>Wigan</strong> rugby league, was also fond of amateur<br />
cricket and played for Highfield.<br />
Such a long and lustrous<br />
heritage deserves an appropriate<br />
celebration for its 95th anniversary<br />
– and a celebration it will have. The<br />
club have already hosted a dinner<br />
for around 130 guests, including<br />
its honorary life members, invited<br />
along for an evening of reminisces<br />
and entertainment. The evening<br />
included a tribute to club stalwart<br />
Eileen Gaskell, who passed away<br />
in January of this year, from her<br />
successor as President Brian<br />
Lancaster and her family led by<br />
son Martin Gaskell.<br />
For the August bank holiday<br />
weekend, a huge community day<br />
is planned, where members of<br />
the public can find out a bit more<br />
about what the cricket club has<br />
to offer while enjoying a party<br />
atmosphere.<br />
‘Cricket does face its challenges,’<br />
Gary continues. ‘Celebrating 95<br />
years is one thing, but we want<br />
to keep reinvigorating the club –<br />
attracting new adult and junior<br />
players, and volunteers to help<br />
maintain the ground and wider<br />
facilities. Our youngest age groups<br />
through to the age of 11 now has<br />
over 70 members but we have<br />
capacity for more and we would also love to see<br />
youngsters picking up the game at 12 years onwards.<br />
Community, friendship and fun are just as important<br />
to the club as the game of cricket. Working together<br />
with the church as we have for 95 years, members<br />
can enjoy fully licensed premises which are open<br />
every evening along with parish hall and function<br />
room hire for parties and businesses.”<br />
To develop that theme further, Highfield Cricket Club<br />
host Fun Fridays each week, offering juniors a chance<br />
to get a feel for the sport. In late <strong>July</strong> the club will also<br />
be hosting a summer sports school, offering a mix of<br />
cricketing and wider sports-based fun.<br />
For more information about Highfield Cricket Club<br />
and its events, visit: highfieldcricketclub.co.uk
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