The photo shows our Chair, Neil Swanwick with Kevin

A very well attended meeting despite many apologies from members who were ill and not the best of weather.

We welcomed Kevin Howells, the very popular BBC Radio Cricket Reporter who provided us with an excellent evening, thoroughly enjoyed by all in attendance.

Kevin talked briefly on how he became involved with broadcasting – which began in a barn in Shropshire when he was 14 years old. Since that time he has covered many sports for BBC Radio throughout the world as well as appearing on TV (John Craven’s Newsround was a particular favourite).

One of the proudest moments of his career was a spell where he read the classified football results on Sports Report. He remembers this fondly but also felt that that was the most pressurised of the many jobs he had undertaken – mainly because he has always been an avid listener to Sports Report and knew what a ‘national institution’ the reading of those results had become.

He talked about the many issues confronting cricket including the latest proposals for change with all the controversy that is being caused amongst regular cricket supporters. In his view the game (and it’s supporters) had to accept a balance between respecting the past and progressing the game – this would have to be done on an agreed incremental basis.

The Big Bash, IPL, Bazball and the Hundred were amongst the topics he covered in a topics he addressed in a confident, considered and impartial way.

An excellent evening with lots of questions to the speaker, which has always been an indication of the speaker’s popularity. Kevin is an excellent, unpretentious speaker, whose love for the game at all levels was clearly displayed. He will be asked to return!!