A milestone was reached by Dorset Cricket Society with the start of their 20th season, writes Lewis Davies.
The society is the only cricket society in the UK which meets on a weekly basis from October to March.
It was formed in October 2002 by Richard Mockridge for the social benefit of his team who were running the Dorset Cricket Centre at Hurn Bridge, Christchurch.
From humble beginnings with an initial membership of seven, the society now boasts more than 70 members.
It was Richard, a qualified ECB cricket coach  in his role as the Borough Engineer of Christchurch, who had the vision of establishing a Dorset Cricket Centre, initially in the old Borough Engineer’s Depot buildings at Stanpit before the current purpose-built centre was created at Hurn Bridge.
The first meeting of the Dorset Cricket Society’s 20th season saw Richard Mockridge cut a birthday cake with this year’s chairman, Derek Hopkins and members looking on.
The society’s meetings are held from October to the end of March on Thursday afternoons from 1.45pm at the Hurn Bridge Sports Club adjacent to the Dorset Cricket Centre. The venue is a mile east of Bournemouth Airport sat nav BH23 6DY. Annual subscription is £10.00 with a weekly fee for members of £5.00 or £7.00 for non-members. Admission includes tea/coffee and biscuits plus use of the Cricket Centre afterwards. New members are most welcome. The winter programme can be found at www.dorsetcricketcentre.co.uk