Picnic & Pimm’s at the Pavilion 2024

Is there such a thing as the perfect summer event? Our wonderful community coming together in glorious surroundings, the sound of leather on willow, giggles from happy children and picnics and Pimm’s. A wonderful opportunity for the whole College community to come together in celebration of College spirit, sporting talent and friendship. Definitely a perfect Stortfordian summer gathering for all.

Hosted at the Doggart Pavilion and bringing together pupils, parents (present & past), staff and Old Stortfordians across the years the Stortfordian Foundation was privileged to provide a warm welcome to 600 guests on the last Sunday of the academic year. The British summer weather kept the event team on their toes as four seasons in one morning passed across the Witherden Field from dawn until late morning while final preparations were made.

All the meticulous preparation from the College’s outstanding grounds team paid off with the sun emerging just in time to ensure the cricket pitch was in perfect condition to host the always hotly contested OS vs College 20/20 cricket match.

Chairs, rugs and picnics were all set out with precision to ensure that cricket enthusiasts had prime view of the on field action.

Unavoidable last minute availability changes meant that an OS team of 9 took their place for the obligatory Team photo in front of the Doggart but spirits and hopes were high that the OS name could be just hours away from being engraved on the coveted Hudson Trophy.

First into bat, the OS team, led by Captain Thomas Howes (GH,RH,17-23) saw some stand out performances across the innings, Adam Bassingthwaighte (GH,CH, 10-19) securing 60 runs off 30 balls. Captain Thomas echoing the batting performance with 31 off 16 balls. 20 overs returning an OS score of 172 for 5 in the face of College bowling and fielding prowess with George H. taking 3 OS wickets.

OS Cricket Team 2024

Thomas Howes (Captain)  (GH,RH,17-23)
Will Cutlan-Smyth  (NH,HH, 15-22)
James Woollerson (WH,SH,RH,11-19)
Simon Lindop (WH,HH,93-04)
Jake Morris (WH,CH, 10-19)
Adam Bassingthwaighte (GH,CH, 10-19)
John Tasker (MJH,SuH, 11-20)
James Gilbert (NH,RH, 16-23)
Will Grindal (WH,CH, 16-23)
OS Team Coach – Paul Bashford (GH, MJH, SH, 77-86) 

After a break for tea in the Pavilion, the young College side took confidently to the crease while some willing volunteers supported the smaller OS team on the boundary. Cam K had a determined batting performance securing an outstanding 94 runs off 57 balls, with Will H, contributing 30 runs to the growing College runs total. Gifted OS cricketer Simon Lindop (WH,HH, 93-04) stood in the way of the College batsman and obtained an enviable result of 2 overs, taking 1 wicket for just 4 runs. A dogged College performance kept fascinated spectators on the end of their picnic chairs until the final balls of the match, only then was it clear that the OS would emerge victorious and regain the trophy from the College’s clutches. The final results being OS 172 for 5 and the College 165 for 6.

Talented and engaging performances across both teams with special mention to the following:

OS Player of the Match: Adam Bassingthwaite (GH,CH, 10-19)

College Player of the Match: Cam K.

OS Captain: Thomas Howes (GH,RH,17-23)

College Captain: Freddie H.

Umpire: Matt Drury

College Team Coach & Asst. Director of Sport (Pre-Prep  Prep) – Dave Hughes

Senior Groundsman: Ben Baker

OS Committee member, John Rycroft (RPH, 64-69) representing OS President Nick Reynolds (HH,08-12), absent due to his recent wedding, paid tribute to all the talented players. Joining Garry Hudson (Head of Modern Languages, 73-13) in presenting the prizes & Hudson Trophy to the triumphant team, a trophy dedicated in Garry’s name in 2013 to mark his retirement after 40 dedicated years service to the College.

Grateful thanks to all the players for representing both teams so valiantly and to all the spectators who were gripped throughout the match.

A ‘Magician in the Marquee’ cast the perfect spell to keep our younger guests entertained during the cricket tea providing an opportunity for families to come together for tricks, juggling, unicycling and lots of giggles. Taking a break from all the al fresco opportunities to bounce on bungee trampolines, reach for the sky on the climbing wall, score a crazy golf hole in one, a penalty shoot out goal to rival any England performance and put dexterity to the test on the segway assault course, the roof of the marquee was raised with cheers and laughter as the magician’s show came to a raucous conclusion. Throughout the afternoon, hours of fun and activity were enjoyed making the most of all the equipment on offer across the expanse of space alongside the cricket pitch.

Delicious refreshments were served conscientiously throughout the afternoon from the College hospitality horsebox, topping up picnics and providing the opportunity to raise a toast with family and friends, old and new, celebrating the positivity of our thriving College community.

Cricket presentations completed, tired little guests making their way home to sleep soundly after an afternoon of activity and fresh air (& some adults hoping to catch the second half of the England euro’s match) smiles all round signalled the success of the event. Safe homeward journeys were wished for all and gratitude shared for all who supported our first Picnic & Pimm’s at the Pavilion.

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