The Galloway Cricket Club rounded off a very busy and eventful season with their annual awards night and ceilidh held this year at the Cocoa Bean Twynholm. The marquee looked wonderful, twinkling with fairy lights a perfect setting for the evening ahead. It was great to see so many friends of the club getting together to celebrate a truly memorable year at Galloway. The club has gone from strength to strength winning the Jewson building better communities s award and cricket Scotland award for the friendliest club in Scotland.
The evening began at 7pm in the with 150 people looking forward to a night of awards, speeches, food and plenty of hilarity and dancing to excellent ceilidh band Whigmaleerie.
We were delighted to welcome Ian Sandbrook from cricket Scotland to present the awards and Bob Davidson (captain of the 2nd x1) was superb as master of ceremonies, recounting many stories of memories from the year.
Presentations began with Ann Creyke presenting the George Creyke award. This is presented to those that the committee feel have given the most to the club over the last 12 months. Fraser Conn and Natalie Hamblin received this award for their remarkable dedication to coaching, arranging cricket camps for the juniors , organising events and helping the Galloway club to become recognised across Scotland.
The next award was presented to the player that had performed most consistently over the season for the 1st x1 and went to Phil Mcmenemy. He has been a welcome addition giving encouragement on and off the field, not to mention his incredible wicket keeping skills and ability to hit the ball. The club is delighted that all the Mcmenemy family are now involved in the game
The 2nd x1 award went to Aaron Richardson who has been a lynch pin in the team and has supported the club all season never missing an event or an opportunity to play.
The ladies award went to Ginger Ramsay who has played her heart out this season. The ladies have had a few games called off but thanks to ginger’s determination scoring her first 50 at Pollock the ladies walked away with a well deserved victory.
The junior boy award went to Glen Montgomery who has shown amazing commitment to the club in junior games, 1st x1 games, 2nd x1 games and the midweek league. What a great young player!
Laura Scobie won the junior girls award as her commitment and dedication to Galloway has to be
recognised with her confidence playing the game having improved massively over this season.
A special lifetime achievement award was given to Howard Bradley who has been a stalwart down at the gatehouse ground for many years coaching the kids, keeping the grounds in immaculate condition and being a vital member of the 1st x1 and midweek teams.. Howie was delighted to receive lifetime membership of the club and a wonderful collage of photos bringing back so many happy memories.
All who had played at the 24 hour fundraising game for the whole time, were also recognised. These were Tommy Mcgrath. Harry Mcgrath, Laura Scobie, Tegan Line, James Mcculloch, Jessica Mcculloch, Luke Lindsay, and Alex Livingstone. Well done to them.
As the marquee was full, the dance floor was soon bouncing, with all the youngsters enjoying dancing the dashing white sergeant, strip the willow and many more. The band must be thanked for keeping everyone entertained.
A delicious hog roast was provided followed by an impressive raffle kindly supported by many local businesses including Laggan Outdoor, the Cally Palace hotel,the Galloway lodge, theGatehouse Deli, the Gatehouse stores, the Bank of Fleet hotel, Hinton Pottery and the Cocoa Bean. The raffle was also supported by members of the club, their families and patrons.
Cricket Scotland also donated some cricket whites and a signed world cup Scotland cricket shirt for auction.
We all enjoyed a wonderful evening and a very special thank you must go to everyone who has supported the club this year….the club is now planning for an equally successful year in 2016!
