Climatically a pretty miserable Season, though the number of Matches cancelled or abandoned owing to rain was reduced from 14 to 12. Our sympathy goes forth to the Managers, organisers and players who suffered, together with our opponents.

Results were satisfactory, though we lost, sometimes unnecessarily, more Matches than we won. Some 150 Ramblers took the field on at least one occasion, which is about the average number.

The Season produced a new “Star” in A. C. Parsons, who by aggregating 615 runs for an average of 61 far exceeded his previous performance. Regrettably we look like losing his services as he is shortly taking up the, for a Rambler, unusual appointment as a B.E.A. Pilot Officer. Sic itur ad astra!

Established “trusties” such as E. J. Lane Fox (514), J. W. Leonard (514), the Farmers, and I. R. Lomax did us well, whilst J. A. Wolfe-Murray, who also took 21 wickets, surprised some of his contemporaries by making 321 runs for an average of 36. Our excellent Hon. Secretary, Cedric Gunnery, merits a special mention and it is nice to learn that his invaluable services off the field were rewarded on it by 560 runs. All things come to those who wait—especially if you keep on trying your hardest—and I would congratulate that indefatigable enthusiast C. F. Horne on his “one crowded hour” when against Bryanston Butterflies he not only scored 79 not out but also took 9 wickets for 68. Viscount Erleigh also considerably enhanced his reputation by scoring 152 runs, three times not out, average 152! He should play more!

We were much indebted to some useful all-rounders: —The nigh-veteran J. C. L. Jenkinson, who headed the bowling statistics, R. V. C. Robins, B. J. T. Stevens, M. de Grey, T. C. Pilkington, and others. The attack was greatly strengthened by the return from Australia (where with typical “Aussie” perversity he was nicknamed “Bluey”) of the junior Robins, G. R. V., a godson of Sir Donald Bradman and a left-handed “tiddler” of great promise, who took a hat-trick against The School. R. H. Hazlerigb o took a lot of exercise and enjoyed himself immensely, at the expense of 28 victims. He also reached the wicket on 11 occasions for 71 runs, and may yet justify his claim to be an all-rounder. Peter Wigan, abroad, was much missed.

The Club has decided to enter for the Gillette Cup, a one-innings Knock-out Competition organised by “The Cricketer” (more Rambler subscribers wanted) amongst 16 Public Schools of its selection. We are out to win and hope to be able to field our best side, a pretty useful one. The Committee hope the players selected, or likely to be selected, will give priority to Cup Matches. I. R. Lomax, providing he survives his present Tour in Barbados, has been appointed Captain and has declared his intention to have a “squad” in vigorous training very early in the Season. In the first round on June 11^th we are drawn to play Old Westminsters, at Vincent Square, S.W.1. Admission is free and it is hoped that we shall muster some supporters.

The outgoing President M.C.C., Lieut.-General Sir Oliver Leese, had no difficulty in carrying out his instructions to maintain the Rambler succession to his high office by the very popular appointment of Sir Alexander Douglas-Home, who has already promised to address Ramblers at the Dinner to be held at the Savoy Hotel on Tuesday, October 24^th, 1967. Particulars will be circulated later but Members are requested to note the date, and turn up. At our last Dinner in 1962 nearly 300 Ramblers were present, and it is hoped at least to maintain this figure, even though everything will cost a bit more.

“Lord’s”—alas! the last in its old surroundings as known to many generations of cricketers—was very enjoyable and well attended by representatives of both schools, whose standards of sartorial elegance appeared to have improved. The School played well and had the better of the game till frustrated by the Fabian (not he of “The Yard”) tactics of a batsman (sic) who, though he saved the match for his side, was greeted with impartial opprobrium, terminating in an organised, though fortunately unsuccessful, attack on his person during his return to the Pavilion. It is hoped that the attendance will be maintained, even though Ramblers might be well advised to bring their own rations, and, in some cases, a flask.

I would mention here with regret the death of Colonel Sir E. N. S. Crankshaw, who opened for Eton in 1903. In the course of a dashing century he established an, I imagine, unchallengeable Record by striking a six which hit—fortunately without injury—his Mother seated in a Rover Stand. And also that of Lieut.-General M. B. Barrows (XI 1912 and 1913) a fine all-round Cricketer and Games-player, and a staunch supporter of the Club both on and off the field, who will be missed by a wide circle of friends.

Admittedly this is not an appropriate time to attempt to squeeze money out of Members, many of whom are already experiencing similar pressure from other quarters, but 1967 is likely to put a strain on the Club’s resources. The Book of Members has cost £390 and the Dinner is apt to require a little subsidising, so that Donations will be especially welcome. Of recent years Donations have been in the neighbourhood of £100 which, though very acceptable, is not a large sum for a big Club (1,450 Members) with a small subscription. I hope that more Members in the upper age groups may remember and express their gratitude for all the fun they have had.

Members are also reminded that the Subscription List for the well-deserved present to our late Hon. Secretary, G. E. C. Pease, is still open. Our Hon. Treasurer, T. G. Denne—to whom as always our best thanks—will be happy to receive further gifts, limited to 10s. A presentation will be made at the Dinner next October.

The circulation of the new Book will doubtless bring in many notifications of changes of Address, though, let it be said, Members responded well to my plea last year, which still holds good, for early notification to the Hon. Secretary. In illustration I would tell the tale of a junior member of a famous Rambler family, represented in the XI for three generations and frequently of recent years, but never renowned for unnecessary activity. This young Rambler spurred, perhaps by my plea, to unwonted action, even though against his better instincts and his upbringing, emitted no less than two notifications, one to the O.E.A. (with whom we keep close liaison in these matters) and one to our Hon. Secretary. In the one he stated that he had moved from A. to B., and in the other from B. to A.! Our Hon. Secretary is none the less grateful.

Attention is again drawn to a new edition of the Rambler Tie which should now, after almost incomprehensible delays, be on sale at New & Lingwoods, who also have—or at any rate had—some very inaccurate and ugly reproductions of our very pretty Colours. It is hoped that Members will favour the latest variety which has so far met with universal approval.

As always your thanks are due to our Officials, Committee and Match Managers, and not least to our Clerk/Scorer, J. S. Dear, who has worked with admirable zeal and efficiency and has produced by his own calligraphy the Match Scores in the Cuttings Book, a not inconsiderable task.

FLOREAT ETONA

G. H. M. CARTWRIGHT,