Here is my Editorial in this current edition of County Cricket Matters - it’s from the heart. Editions of this & all other CCM’s can be obtained from my website 🙏 www.countycricketmatters.com/shop

A classic side-on picture of Harold Larwood in his delivery dating from 1932. Although only around 5'8" tall and weighing 11 stones, he had tremendous upper-body strength which contributed to him being the fastest bowler of his generation

This is no accident or diplomatic faux pas. It is retribution for UK recognition of Gaza. A v dangerous game but Netanyahu & his rw coalition partners won't care about that.

📢We are searching for the next Artistic Director for the National Youth Folk Ensemble. 🎼 This is a freelance role for an exceptional folk music performer and educator to lead on the artistic vision of the National Youth Folk Ensemble. Apply before 9am, Monday 17 November bit.ly/3KtWdeh

Poetry.

The truth: we need migration. The problem: too many politicians are terrified to say it. Why? They're led by a) toxicity of the charlatans & b) wealthy media organisations who demand these useful distractions rather than us talking about inequality. Reject it. Draw the line.

Interesting and informative piece by @jonwilksmusic.bsky.social on why, and also, how, he took his music off Spotify www.jonwilks.online/blog/life-af...

That was a fantastic game & brilliant win by Notts against Surrey. What a priceless advertisement for the game! #countycricketmatters #survNotts

England captain WG Grace leaves the field at the end of the first day of the 1st Ashes Test, Trent Bridge, June 1st 1899. Almost 51 and nearly 18 stone, he had been barracked by the crowd. Although his batting was still worth a place, he had become a liability in the field

A clip I had not seen until last week ... the final ball of the Bodyline series, Wally Hammond hitting Phil Lee for six over long off to win the 5th Test at the SCG, February 28th 1933 (NFSA Australia)

New music from Sean with @elizacarthy.bsky.social Sam Carter & Jennifer Reid hudsonrecords.ffm.to/petersfield

The Met will be arresting 500 people who represent no threat whatsoever to public order or to anyone or anything except the notion that the racist, settler colonialist Apartheid State of Israel should be allowed a free hand to terrorise and murder people in the Gaza Holocaust, infanticide, genocide

Tom Lehrer made all of his music 100% public domain so if seeing people sad about his death makes you want to check them out… it’s free. he wanted you to share them. tomlehrersongs.com

Good Morning Blueys #SundaySermon

An up-coming Ashes Series. Evokes memories of 'Bodyline' and the great Harold Larwood. So it is entirely appropriate to share article that marks the 30th Anniversary of the great man's passing. I was delighted to be able to tell a small part of his history: www.thenottsedit.com/p/harold-lar...

In the light of the PCA pushing for fewer Championship games with a video of cricketers on their golf course - it might be worth revisiting this Wisden article from Kit Harris in 2023. It makes some interesting points. wisdenblog.wordpress.com/2023/07/07/n...

It wasn’t until 1987 that someone discovered this random stone at the side of a mountain in Northumberland actually had a 150cm hole through it which was perfectly aligned with the sunset of the summer solstice (and sunrise at Midwinter). A great discovery! @mythologyMonday #mythologyMonday

Seen a couple of massive gigs this week but mainly blown away by @elizacarthy.bsky.social and @jenniferballads.bsky.social at @justdroppedin.bsky.social this eve .. Put any teariness down to my split Lancashire/Yorkshire roots and tiredness - go see if you can

Why the new disability benefits concessions don’t make sense, and why the Bill must still be opposed, explained in under 90 seconds:

Richard Hadlee bowling for Nottinghamshire against Worcestershire in July 1981. That summer he took 105 wickets in the Championship as Notts took the title for the first time since 1929. He also played in 21 of the county's 24 List A matches

@acscricket.bsky.social ...Ishan Kishan took a catch of the first ball he faced as Notts wicketkeeper (v Yorks yesterday). It seems so unlikely that we wondered if there are records of any other keeper getting a wicket off their first ball for county or country?

Fondly remembered at Trent Bridge, where he played until he moved to Warwickshire (when Hadlee arrived at TB)

As well as committing genocide, Israel has bombed Iran in a grave escalation. Israel is no ally, but a rogue and unstable state with a government vying for power at all costs. Our government must no longer allow Israel to act with impunity: stop arms sales, impose sanctions.

In a democracy, *should* the question we ask ourselves be "Am I better off?" What about "are other people better off?" "Are the laws fair?" "Are we more secure?" "Are we trashing the planet for the future?" The left, in particular, should be really wary of transactional framings of democracy. 1/3

These fabulous cricket organisations are gold! Please do join them - Https://cricketmemorabilia.org Https://www.cricketsociety.org Https://acscricket.com Https://www.walkersandtalkersorg

SPRING SUMMER UK 2025

Proud to call Jenn a friend yet even I did not see something of such import coming. As a wordsmith I know the term 'unique' is almost always mis-used but in this case, it is fully justified. Listen, learn and be moved.

It was also the last Test for Billy Gunn and the first at Trent Bridge. I doubt that any Test since could match up quite such a list of 'firsts and lasts'

With Surrey boasting the biggest crowd this century & tense finishes/brilliant rounds of the county championship this is a timely article I’ve written for The Cricket Paper about the glory of the championship. It’s a fantastic thing to have a paper dedicated to cricket - please do buy it!

"It was the political satire that gave us omnishambles, pet asbos and the terrifying Malcolm Tucker. Two decades on, creator Armando Iannucci and stars including Peter Capaldi and Rebecca Front lift the lid on its chaotic creation." www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...

Folk is having a revival—in the art world too "The field is now being “reclaimed by marginalised groups and artists are making exciting innovations”. bit.ly/44G3Gz4

JOB OPPORTUNITY Ever fancied working for @WisdenAlmanack? Now's your chance: we're looking for a new assistant editor. Details here: bloomsbury.current-vacancies.com/Jobs/Advert/...

Please complete this so that the County Cricket Members Group can get a more informed idea of how supporters feel about the domestic schedule. Huge decisions are due to be made about this fantastic game of OURS docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Less than 48 hours after arriving home a very formally dressed Douglas Jardine was at Lord's to meet with the MCC committee to discuss what had happened in Australia during the Bodyline series, May 8th 1933

She won't change her "Iron Chancellor" "golden rules" bullshit, so Starmer has a choice. Stick with someone whose tunnel vision is already losing Labour the next gen. election or change course and recognise that copying Tory economic policies that have failed for decades is self-evidently moronic.

Tax the super-rich and multinational corporations. Scrap the disability benefit cuts and the two child limit. End austerity. Put money in people’s pockets. Work together to build a fairer, healthier, and more equal society. This is the programme we need. [3/3]

One to watch!

BIG NEWS! We're taking on the bird shooting industry! @endbirdshooting.bsky.social youtu.be/adHIPzovnVs

Twatter?

For the political and economic pundits churning the ‘Trump is right to reset a broken economy’ columns, there is plenty wrong with the global economy but if you are looking to a man who BANKRUPT A CASINO to fix it then I would start burying tinned food in the garden.

The Cricket Paper is always a great read with all the latest news. Here’s a taster of my article to ruffle a few hundred feathers…

Just this 👇👏

There is no moral case for cutting disability benefits, and frankly, the economic case is flimsy too, especially when there's money to be found elsewhere. Those with the broadest shoulders should bear the greatest burden: we need to tax the super-rich.

This is such a powerful story if you don’t know about Waleed then it’s really worth reading about. What a hugely impressive lad he is. It will be in my book - which is due to be published on 11 April by @fairfieldbooks.bsky.social www.thenightwatchman.net/buy/cricket-...

There are people in the UK who could be working but would rather receive state benefits than do anything productive, these people are called Labour MPs.

Jenn is extraordinary...proud to be her friend. Do support if you can

📣We are recruiting📣 Deadline is Monday We are looking for a new Archivist to join our team at the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS). The role, responsible for the cataloguing, organisation and preservation of the archives. The deadline for applications is 10am on Monday bit.ly/4hxsImw

Just thought I’d give you a look at my CCM Editorial for this current edition. 🏏

IT IS HERE! The next edition of County Cricket Matters. For those of you that like Patrick Eagar’s work there is my interview with him and featuring some of his early photographs. And the usual fantastic articles. To order please follow the link below - www.countycricketmatters.com/shop