1936

The Season of 1936 from a playing point of view resulted in the County maintaining the same position as in 1935, viz., fifth in the Championship, although for some time it looked like making a strong bid for the leading place. The side played 28 matches, 8 were won, 17 drawn and 3 lost, but it was fortunate on two occasions in avoiding defeat.

The Championhip was well and deservedly won by Derbyshire our neighbors and time-honoured opponents. This result gave general satisfaction in the country and Nottinghamshire desires to record its warm congratulations to the winners.

The success of the team was mainly due to the exceptionally fine bowling of Larwood and Voce, the former taking 119 (average 12.97) heading the averages of the country, as in several previous years, and the latter 135 wickets (average 19.66).

The batting was inconsistent, only Hardstaff, Keeton and Harris maintaining their previous form. Hardstaff scored 1,224 runs with an average of 39.48, and Keeton 1,607 runs with an average of 37.37. Harris and Gunn scored over 1,000 runs.

The Club is indebted to Mr. G. F. H. Heane for the able way in which he Captained the side. His splendid fielding, in all positions, was greatly admired, and was an inspiration to his men. He was not so successful with the bat as in 1935 but all hope that this loss of form is only temporary. It is expected that Mr. Heane will again lead the side, with Mr. S. D. Rhodes available in his absence. The Club is again indebted to Sir Julien Cahn that this arrangement is possible.

Arthur Staples has been granted a benefit match in 1937. Since 1924 he has rendered most useful all-around service to the Club, always giving of his best. The match will probably be that against Yorkshire at Trent Bridge on 17^th, 19^th and 20^th of July, and it is hoped that the public will shew its appreciation of his work for the County.
Two members of the Team, Hardstaff and Voce were selected members of the M. C.C. English team touring Australasia. The great part played by Voce in securing English victories in the first two Test Matches is a source of great gratification to all followers of Nottinghamshire cricket. It is hoped that Hardstaff will meet with that measure of success which his great talent justifies.

LARWOOD’S BENEFIT. It is gratifying to report that the total yield including £7 10s. 5d. for Bank Interest, is £2,082 192. 5d. This highly satisfactory result is largely due to the ready co-operation, with the Benefit Sub-Committee, so many people and organizations who have taken great trouble in arranging cricket matches, collections and dances, not only in the City and County of Nottingham, but also elsewhere.

The Committee beg to record their highly appreciative thanks to every individual or organization taking part, in so great an effort. Special mention should be made of the valuable services rendered by Mr. A. J. Allcock, Hon. Secretary of the Benefit Sub-Committee, of which Mr. G. A. Rhodes, J. P., was Chairman, and Major J. Ashworth, J. P., Vice-Chairman. The efforts of this Committee did much to ensure the success of the Benefit. It is hoped that the spirit of co-operation which prevailed on this occasion may be maintained in the case of future Benefits so that those who have rendered good service to the Club in the field over many years may reap a well-earned reward.

With the concurrence of the beneficaire, arrangement are now in progress for the investment in the names of Trustees, of the greater part of the sum obtained for the benefit of Larwood.

FINANCE. As foreshadowed in last year’s Report, the Accounts show an excess of Expenditure over Income of £2,568 0s. 4d.

This is mainly due to the greatly reduced amount received for Annual Subscriptions, viz., £5,404 7s. 0d. from 3,247 members, the smallest number since 1925. In 1935 the corresponding figures were £7,013 17s. 0d. from 4,406 members, during which year however, Sir Julien Cahn Bart. (President of the Club) paid the subscriptions for upwards of 800 new members who joined the Club for his year of Office.

Notwithstanding unfavorable weather in the early part of the season, which greatly affected the takings on several Saturdays, the total yield of the gates from all home county matches was £3,483 15s. 9d. The corresponding amount of 1935 was £3,304 1s. 2d. The result is more satisfactory seeing that owing to bad weather only £38 5s. 11d. was taken at the gates for the match v. All India as compared with £855 14s. 5d. taken for the match with the South Africans in 1935.

The Club’s indebtedness at the end of the year is £3,793 11s. 10d. The Committee strongly urge that every possible effort should be made by existing members to increase the present membership. It is very difficult to reduce the present expenditure without prejudicing the future. It is proposed that a public appeal to reduce the indebtedness of the Club should be made at an early date.

The Club and Ground, and the Second Eleven, played many matches during the season under the Captaincy of Mr. J. K. Lane, and in his absence, of Mr. E. A. Marshall. The thanks of the Committee is tendered to these gentlemen for their valuable services. The expenses of these matches amounted to £193 2s. 5d.

The Committee much regret to report the deaths of:-
Mr. Charles William Wright, J. P., who died on the 10^th January, 1936, in his 73^rd year. Mr. Wright was widely known in first-class cricket from 1882 to his retirement in 1889.

He played for Cambridge University (1882 to 1885), Nottinghamshire (1882-1889), M. C. C. and I. Zingari, etc. He took part in the Gentlemen v. Players match in 1833 and was a member of several touring sides to the United States, India, the West Indies and elsewhere. He was closely associated with the management of the Club for 45 years, and acted as a member of the Committee from 1891 to 1896, as Trustee from 1900 to 1936, and Hon. Treasurer from 1911 to 1935.

Mr. John Collis Snaith, who died at Hampstead on the 8^th of December, 1936, aged 60. Mr. Snaith was a well-known figure in local cricket circles about 35 years ago. He made numerous appearances for our Second Eleven and in 1900 played twice for the County, viz., M. C. C. and the West Indians, making 18 and 21 runs and taking 4 wickets for 79.

He was a well-known novelist; his “Willow the King” is considered by many capable judges to be the best novel dealing with cricket that has been written.

He maintained a keen interest in Nottinghamshire cricket and has given practical expression thereof by bequeathing the sum of £100 free of duty to the Club, payable on the death of his sister.

The Earl of Lincoln was elected President of the Club and it is hoped that his Lordship, who is a very capable cricketer, who played for and Captained the Eton eleven, will at some future date be able to find time to become once more closely associated with the Club.

During the year, John Carlin, who became official scorer for the Club after the death of Harry Coxon in 1929, completed 50 years association with first-class cricket.

Carlin first appeared for the County Eleven in 1887 and played in 72 matches. He was an excellent wicket-keeper and a sound batsman, having an average of 18.66. Subsequently he was for many years engaged on the Groundstaff at Lords and regularly played for M. C. C. and ground during that period. Later he became a first-class Umpire. Since taking over the duties of scorer for Nottinghamshire, Carlin has proved himself a very good friend and a wise and fatherly counselor to members of the County side and, in this way, has earned the sincere thanks of the players and the Committee.
It has been arranged to present Carlin with a chiming Westminster Clock, suitably inscribed, in recognition of his valued services and as a memento of his jubilee.

It is hoped that the presentation will be made by the retiring President, the Earl of Lincoln at the forthcoming Annual Meeting.
Many additions have been made during the year to the Pavilion, Collection of Pictures, etc., and also to the Library. These include, amongst others, an artist’s proof engraving of the late Lord Harris, presented by Lord Belper, and autographed copies of books given to Mr. A. W. Shelton for the Library. The donors of these are Messrs. Neville Cardus (3 books), E. P. Hendren, H. D. g. Leveson-Gower, H. Verity, F. E. Woolley and R. E. S. Wyatt.

The Committee desire sincerely to thank the several donors for their valuable gifts.
By arrangement with Notts. Forest Football Club, when the latter play matches at home, Trent Bridge Cricket Ground is available for the parking of cars. The attention of members and the public is drawn to this accommodation.

Signed on behalf of the Committee, H. A. BROWN, Secretary.