GAVIN MASSON (1963-2023)

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of Gavin Masson, who served as chairman of Beaconsfield CC Juniors from 2010-13. Along with his wife Lindsey, Gavin was instrumental in reviving the juniors and laying the foundations for the thriving junior section that we see today.

Gavin had a natural ability to organise and inspire those around him and was a hugely popular and successful chairman. He successfully built and ran his own business before selling up and retiring a few years ago. When he was not working, Gavin could usually be found on the golf course. He was a member of both Beaconsfield GC and the famous Royal Dornoch club in Scotland, where he had a second home.

Despite his ongoing illness, he was an energetic and prolific fundraiser for Cancer Research. Gavin squeezed everything he could out of his last few years, showing admirable courage and remarkable resilience. He will be much missed by colleagues, friends and family. Our sincere condolences go to Lindsey and his sons Ross and Scott.

GILES SMITH (1944-2023)

It is with great regret that we inform members of the death of Giles Smith on 5th April 2023.

As is detailed in the obituary from The Times newspaper on 12th May 2023, Giles was a prominent TV news correspondent, particularly in the 1970s and 1980s. At the same time he was a highly regarded member of Beaconsfield Cricket Club. He played for the Club during the 1970s and 1980s having come through the juniors and attended Davenies School. He was a hard-hitting wicket-keeper/batsman, who captained the 2nd XI in the mid 1970s. A cricketing highlight for Giles was taking a hat-trick of stumpings off the bowling of fellow BCC member, Stephen Noyes. At the time of his death, Giles was on the TVL umpires panel. Giles will be much missed by all BCC members who knew him.

ROBIN PEPPIATT
Robin Peppiatt, one of the outstanding personalities in Beaconsfield Cricket Club's long history, very sadly passed away in 2021 at the age of 91.

Robin was First XI Captain, Vice-President and Trustee of our Club, which he joined as a successful schoolboy cricketer in 1947.

He was an enterprising First XI Captain from 1956-67 and after he stepped down he played a few seasons for 'The Marauders', the Club's Sunday Third XI.

A talented batsman, swing bowler and expert slip catcher, he played 34 Championship games for Bucks between 1948-65 and was 12th man for their Gillette Cup tie against Middlesex at Lord's in 1965. He was President of Bucks CCC from 1996-2000.

A long-time member of MCC, he served on several of their committees.

Over the years Robin, a true gentleman, continued to closely follow events at BCC and support the Club, not least with substantial donations towards the Nets Project in 2016 and the new Junior Pitch Appeal earlier this year.

JOHN GRIERSON FLEMING
John Grierson Fleming, the Club's Joint-President for the past 14 years, died on Monday January 11th 2021, three weeks before his 95th birthday. John had given extraordinary service to the Club for more than 50 years, uniquely holding the positions of Secretary, Club Captain and President.

John joined Beaconsfield in 1955. An opening batsman, who wore a distinctive black and white hooped cap (awarded for rowing colours), he played mainly for the Sunday 2nd XI before retiring in his late forties.

He was appointed Secretary in 1964, Club Captain (Chairman) in 1980 and finally a Joint President in 2007.

A partner in a firm of London firm of solicitors, he was known for his meticulous attention detail and cautious approach to decision-making. However, in his time at the Club, Beaconsfield bought their ground, plus an additional 14 acres, which included what is known as the Christmas Tree Field and Latchmere Pond, very wise investments. As Ground Chairman, he was not averse to getting his hands dirty to help with a project.

A quiet, polite man with a self-deprecating sense of humour, John will be sadly missed, not only by the members, but also by his widow Margaret and two daughters, to whom the Club sends its condolences. His only son, Alistair, who used to score for the Club, died a few years ago.

Paying tribute, the Beaconsfield CC Chairman Graham Daniel said: "Personally, John has been a great friend and invaluable mentor to me during my time at the Club, with his wise words and fantastic knowledge of all matters related to the Club."

CHRIS HOGGAN
Chris Hoggan, who was secretary of Beaconsfield CC for seven years, sadly died on January 7 2020 at the age of 77.

Christened Christopher Carlyle-Hoggan, he joined the club in the early 1970s, playing as a stylish middle-order batsman, largely in the 2nd XI.

He came a quietly efficient club secretary in 1981 and proved a valuable right-hand man to our then Club Captain John Fleming. On stepping down as secretary in 1988, he was appointed a Vice-President.

The Club expresses condolences to his widow, Jan, and sons Trevor, who was a useful young off-spinner, and Derek.

BRIAN LUCAS 1935 - 2018
When Brian joined Beaconsfield from Slough in the early 1960s, he already had a considerable cricket career behind him.

As a 17-year-old pupil at Slough Grammar School in 1952, Brian was in the Bucks side that won the Minor Counties Championship under the legendary Australian wicket-keeper Ben Barnett, who Brian said, was the best captain he played under.

In all, Brian played 40 Championship game for Bucks between 1951 and 1964. A hard-hitting batsman and a brilliant cover point fielder, he scored 1,030 runs (average 21.02), with a top score of 100 not out.

He was a first team regular at Beaconsfield for the next ten years, before playing latterly at Knotty Green.

An accountant, he was persuaded by the then first XI captain Robin Peppiatt to become the club's treasurer in 1965. Nobody knew then, that he was to hold that responsible office for a remarkable 50 years.

Brian would bat at 4 or 5 for Beaconsfield and was an ideal person to steady a sinking ship or innings, although Brian did like to get a move on with his run making if the situation allowed. Brian has been described as rather like Joe Root, but without the Yorkshire accent.

To mark his golden anniversary as Treasurer in 2015, Brian, then 80, was a guest at a hospitality box organised by the Club for the first day of the County Championship match between Middlesex and Sussex at Lord's, where he was presented with a cut-glass rose bowl.

Outside cricket, Brian was a talented sportsman. Between 1953 and 1959, he played more than 200 games at full back for Slough Town FC, before joining Maidenhead United. He was also a prominent member of Beaconsfield Squash Club.

A reserved and modest man, Brian was married twice, being predeceased by his wives Gay and Jane. He leaves three daughters.

Brian’s friends at Beaconsfield Cricket Club would like to thank him very much for all of his hard work and loyalty to the Club over the years.

Jeremy Suter (1990-2014)
It is with great sadness that I have to announce the tragic and untimely death of 1st XI wicket-keeper/batsman Jeremy “Jez” Suter following emergency surgery on a previously undiagnosed tumour aged just 23.

Jeremy has been a member of the club throughout his junior years and in recent years had become a regular member of the 1st XI, as well as giving back his time as a coach on Sunday mornings. He was clearly a talented batsman and wicket-keeper but most valuably a great club man who would have played for the club for a number of years to come; moreover Jeremy was one of the most thoughtful, considerate and "giving" people whom I have ever known. Jeremy never had a bad word to say about anyone nor did I ever hear a bad word said about him. Jeremy was quite simply a wonderful human being and the world is diminished by his departure from it. The club will miss him immeasurably.

Our thoughts are with Hugh, Margot & all of their family at this difficult time.

Phil Geach
Chairman

Beaconsfield Cricket Club

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