High Peak Cricket Society Norman Harris Trophy 2001

The Society’s Service to Cricket Award, 'The Norman Harris Trophy', has been awarded to Stan Ravenscroft.

Stan's early involvement with cricket was an undistinguished playing career with Peak Forest in the old Buxton and District League, the highlight being top scorer with 3 in an all out total of 7 against Flagg! He also says he was a very good wicket keeper and a provider of transport as his motorbike was used to pick up players from neighbouring villages to come and play.

His connection with Chapel-en-le-Frith Cricket Club began as first team scorer in 1971, which he did for about 10 years and also scored for the Derbyshire and Cheshire League for a time. He then began helping the groundsman at the same time as starting to work voluntarily in the old clubhouse bar.

When he retired from his milkround business in 1988 he began to devote even more time to the club and became groundsman and head barman when the new clubhouse was opened in 1991, all on a voluntary basis.

He was awarded the League Britannic Assurance 'Personality of the Month' award in September 1997 in recognition of his years of hard work at Chapel Cricket Club, his second home, or perhaps his first according to his wife Dorothy who is pleased he has now got a mobile phone so she can keep in contact with him! Stan combines his groundsman work with being in charge of the clubhouse, being the point of contact for all functions and always being available at the ground. He still scores occasionally, scores and provides transport for the Junior teams, and has been known to turn out whenever the midweek and indoor cricket teams have been short!

The ground and clubhouse at Chapel are a tribute to Stan's hard work and at the age of 72 he says he has no intention of giving up the role which has given him so much pleasure.

Thanks to Kevin Ravenscroft for this article.