Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 15 March 1913
Conisboro’ Cricketers
Enjoyable Annual Dinner
The Late Captain
The annual dinner in connection with the Conisboro’ Cricket and Lawn Tennis Club was held at the King and Maid Inn, Conisboro’, on Saturday evening last, and proved a very enjoyable event.
Thanks to the secretary of the club, Mr. D. C. Graham, the arrangements were carried out admirably, and the event largely owed its success to his untiring energies.
Mr. C. Robinson, who had been captain and held office for 16 years, was presented with a silver cigarette case by the members of the club.
Mr. Ogley, C.C. (President of the club), Mr. H. Baker (District Councillor), Councillor J. Appleyard, Messrs. D. C. Graham, C. Rowe, J. Hewitt, A. Robinson, E. Johnson, A. Ellis, T. Park, J. Woodward, H. Williamson, T. Willans, Burke, W. H. Cooke, T. Humphries, E. Sheldon, W. Astbury, G. Gregory, J. Mellor, A. Dews, C. Keys, W. Burnes, F. Fisher, R. V. Bedford, W. F. Machin, W. Moore, T. Rawding, Carter, G. Starr, S. Carron, S. Sykes, H. Wilkinson, W. C. Birch, F. Gregory, P. Hobson, C. Rich, F.Tomlinson, F. Bingham, F. Hobson, S. Good, C. Carter, H. Appleyard, J. Mellor, A. Smithson, B. Keiley, J. Garside, W. Jones, F. Teadby, J. Goulding, T. Dockerty, J. Ford, M. Calvert, and W. Clifford were amongst those present.
Success to the Club
After the cloth was removed, the evening was spent in a convivial manner, and a toast list was gone through. The company drank the health of the King, after which followed:
The Chairman, Mr. Ogley, proposed “Success to the Conisboro’ Cricket and Lawn Tennis Club.” He understood, he said, that the club was not in a healthy way financially owing to losses being played. (Hear, hear.) As was well known to the majority in that room, the cricket club was not financially as good as it ought to be , but he ventured to say, and he trusted they would agree, that it was not the fault of their secretary. It was owing to bad weather, which they could not help, but he hoped that next season they would be able to wipe out the debt.
The club was not self-supporting. Cricket was a pastime they all ought to support, and he hoped they would get more subscribers from outside. He was in a proud position that night. He was not only the president of the cricket club, but he was also County Councillor. (Loud applause.)
He did not think everyone in that room were his supporters, but he hoped that during the next three years he would merit their confidence and prove a worthy representation of the people of that parish. (Hear, hear.)
He was pleased to support the gentleman who did not support himself so much. (Applause.)
He was not going to make rash promises, but was prepared to support the people with his services. He had no axe to grind. It was well known he poceeded that the sports and the cricket and lawn tennis club were separate, and they ought to try and get them put together again, as by so doing it would be more successful. (Applause.)
The Late Mr. Bury
Mr. H. Baker responded. The cricket and lawn tennis club, he said, was very old in distinction that he boasted Conisboro’, and had been noted for its good players. They well remembered poor old Mr. Shutt, who had gone with the departed, and they also remembered Mr. Tom Oxley, and Mr. Harry Marshall, the latter a very good player.
What they wanted to do was to try and make the Conisboro’ Cricket Club a success. (Hear, hear.)
The club had lost poor Mr. Ellis, who was a very good amongst them, and one that was very highly respected. (Hear, hear.) and there was another whom he would be lacking in his duty if he did not mention — the late Mr. Chas. Bury.
Although he was in opposition to a certain extent, he was one who always a gentleman to Conisboro’ Cricket Club.
What they wanted was some new blood to get the Conisboro’ Cricket Club back to its former state.
Referring to the cricket field and the sports, Mr. Baker said he hoped the two would be combined. Such an arrangement would be beneficial to both parties. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Baker paid a high tribute to the late Mrs. Lugar, and asked the company to rise as a mark of respect.
The Secretary was directed to forward, on behalf of the members, a vote of condolence with the husband and family of the late Mrs. Lugar
The Visitors
Mr. Appleyard proposed the toast of “The Visitors.” He noticed several faces there, he said, from Denaby, and he was very pleased to see them.
Denaby had been noted for its cricketers ever since he knew it, and he was sure the Conisboro’ Cricket Club must be proud of having so many visitors that night.
In the Cadeby disaster they lost their captain, Mr. Sidney Ellis, the finest man that any of them ever met on a cricket field. (Applause.) He was not a brilliant player, but considered everybody before himself.
They had just returned Mr. Ogley as a County Councillor. They would shortly be having another election and he wanted them to use their judgementt and vote for the men whom they thought would do the best for them.
He was not going to beg and pray off any man. He was going to leave himself in the hands of the ratepayers. He had very great pleasure in proposing the toast of the visitors. (Applause.)
Mr. A. Robinson, responding, said he heartily concurred in the visitor. He had always been delighted to come and play at Conisboro’, and he wished the club success. (Hear, hear.)
The Chairman gave the toast of “The Chairman,” and Mr. Dockerty responded.
Musical items were rendered during the evening.