OUSEBURN CRICKET CLUB

The Golden Oldies Cricket Festival took place in and around Harrogate from 8^th August to 14^th August 2010. Over 60 teams took part with 35 International teams from 7 cricketing nations around the world.

Ouseburn Cricket Club hosted 3 matches and was delighted to welcome teams from British Columbia, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. On the first day of play our local team, Ouseburn Silver Line took on British Columbia Golden Oldies and found themselves facing the oldest player in the tournament Lloyd Edwards a sprightly 78 year old. Lloyd quickly became quite a celebrity as the Yorkshire Post and Calendar news both came along to interview him. Who can forget the New Zealand team as they arrived sporting very smart blazers and very striking hats which they removed only to bowl! On the final day of play we awoke to the ominous sound of driving rain. However our visitors the Vagabonds from South Africa and Queensland Club Maroon arrived promptly in the rain determined to play. Fortunately the rain finally stopped and the players managed to complete the game in somewhat lower temperatures than they are used to!

All of our overseas visitors were astounded by the quality of the traditional Yorkshire food served to them which included local delicacies and home made cakes. They enjoyed the facilities and the very warm welcome they received from everyone they met at Ouseburn. Several of them choose to return to Ouseburn on the Friday night to join in the Hog Roast that we had organised in their honor to mingle once again with new found friends.

A Gala Dinner was held on Saturday 14^th August at the Yorkshire Event Centre to bring the Festival to a close. With 800 people in attendance this was quite an event! Several awards were announced on the night and Ouseburn CC was the very proud recipients of the ‘Friendship Award’ in recognition of the hospitality and the warm welcome we extended to all our visitors. We were delighted and honored to receive the award. When we first began to plan this event the brief was simple ‘ to provide our overseas visitors with a taste of Yorkshire hospitality, fine food and good company whilst always observing the true spirit of the Golden Oldies being ‘Fun, Friendship and Fraternity to celebrate cricket’. We have made new friends this week and have witnessed the power of sport in bringing nations together.

The next Golden Oldies Cricket Festival will take place in Adelaide in 2012 and having witnessed what a truly unique experience the Golden Oldies is Ouseburn CC will there!