On Thursday 13th October, Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) opened the doors to Lord’s and the famous Pavilion Long Room to welcome the Downside Wanderers Cricket Club (DWCC), OGs and close friends to celebrate the Wanderers’ centenary anniversary.
With 186 guests in attendance, the evening was a wonderful success in celebrating the history of the Club and cricket at Downside. Guests arrived from 6.30pm onwards for drinks in the Long Bar, followed by a three-course dinner in the famous Long Room. For cricket lovers, the Long Room is a special place. With portraits of the greats of the game adorning the walls and a clear view of the famous pitch just metres away, there was no more fitting place to celebrate the Wanderers’ momentous milestone.
The guest list spanned multiple generations – a testament to the depth and health of the Wanderers; Michael Daly (R49), David Lawrence (R54) and Mark Radcliffe (S56), who played for the Wanderers in the 1950s, were in attendance. They were joined by many of the newest Wanderers who left School in recent years, along with representatives from the Wanderers’ oldest rivals, Bill Holland, President and Charles Dinwiddy, longest serving captain of the Old Wykehamists and William Taylor, Hon. Secretary of the South Wales Hunt. So for many, the evening was a wonderful opportunity to catch up with old friends.
After dinner, speeches from Anthony Pontifex (S60) the Wanderers President, Archie Cotterell (B81) and Simon Halliday (S77) were met with laughs and applause, each speech providing something different; history, hilarity and fascinating insight into the world of professional sport. The speeches were rounded off by Ollie Mellotte (S05), the Wanderers Hon. Secretary, who presented a unique honours cap to Anthony Pontifex as the longest playing member and President of the Wanderers. Huge thanks again to Anthony for his ongoing leadership of the Wanderers. Also, a big thank you to Ollie Mellotte, Will Mostyn (S11) (Hon.Treasurer) and the dinner organising committee for their wonderful efforts in promoting such a memorable evening.
Through a silent auction that ran throughout the evening, guests raised over £8,000 which will be donated to the School for investment in Cricket at Downside – thank you to all those who contributed so generously.
For anyone interested in joining the Wanderers or would like to know more about the club please email Hugh Jennings (S11) hepjennings@gmail.com
