I received a cheque for £750 yesterday from John Hayes MP, a generous patron of Headway Cambridgeshire of which I am vice chair of the trustees. John,Shadow Minister, Innovation, Universities and Skills, suffered a serious head injury following a road accident in his early 20s.
The money was the proceeds of a charity cricket match held last year in Moulton, Lincolnshire where John lives, and it is a regular fixture on his annual calendar which is played against his very sporting local cricket team.
It was held again the weekend and I was looking forward to it immensely as I had heard what great fun it was, and that a great hog roast always followed. My only doubts were if the weather would be dry enough as there were heavy showers overnight and in the 
morning. Sure enough, as John’s wife Susan had predicted earlier in the week when she said they always have fine weather for the match, this year was no exception and the sun shone in time for play to go ahead.
I didn’t realise John’s team was the Lords & Commons X1, and they kindly allowed my son James to join them. Although he was the 12th man, he took a wicket when bowling, though had no time to shine during batting as his turn came for the last ball. The programme will be a nice souvenir for him as he is listed with them.
His fellow team mates, which John captained, were MPs Iain 
Duncan Smith and Henry Bellingham and MEPs Den Dover and Chris Heaton-Harris. However, they proved to be no match for the local cricket team who soundly beat them. James thought Iain was a great bowler.
It was a lovely afternoon and I don’t think you can find a more picturesque English countryside setting than at a cricket match on a village green with genial folk laid out on deck chairs soaking up the atmosphere. It is also very generous of MPs to give up a day over August Bank Holiday in support of John and Headway.
However, I must admit I still don’t understand the rules of the game, I am baffled by it.
Pic: In the team pic, James is kneeling second left next to Chris Heaton Harris. And John and Iain show their rebel side by playing next to the “No Ball Game” sign.
UPDATE: Here is a YouTube I made of the cricket match, hope you enjoy it.
It sounds a great occasion. Rules of cricket: When you’re in, you’re out, and when you’re out, you’re in.
I have no idea of the rules of the game, either, but would absolutely LOVE to go to a game next time I’m in England (hopefully next summer). 😀
So English….and so good….
Richard, too true. Your Len Goodman serialisation in The Mail today had my in-laws enthralled this eveningm, they liked the boiled beetroot story and remembered the outside loos with toilet paper. It passed an hour or so while they waited for a bbq which had to be cooked under the grill as the gas had run out. Thanks for that!
Great fun occasion with a very worthy outcome if not result.
Well I know the rules but hardly ever get to watch any more as it is not a feature of TV in this country.
i am so glad you put in that you don’t understand the game…i have tried…had people explain it to me…i think i have it…then some odd thing happens and they say “well that is one of the exceptions”…i just don’t get it…
Great that the weather behaved for you. You do seem such a busy person;very energetic.
Well done, Ellee and you look wonderful in (the) pink!
Hi Ellee – I’ve sent you a tag
it looks like a lovely time was had by all, ellee.
Ah! Cricket! When you’re in, you go out. And when you are out, you go back in 🙂
Sorry i am so late to read this post. Well done, Ellee, for the excellent work you do. You know this is a cause close to my heart. Can’t help with cricket, though!
John called me today to say the charity raised £1,000, which is amazing, which will be shared by Headway and two other charities.
Thanks again for a great day John, and James is hoping he will get to join the parliamentary team again next ear.
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