PETER WEST - A BRIEF TRIBUTE

Peter West, the former President of the Lynxes Cricket Club, died on September 2nd, 2003 aged 83. Representatives of the Lynxes Cricket Club and the OCA attended the funeral.

Peter, by his own admission, devoted most of his time at the School to sport, at which he excelled. Cricket was probably his first love and he made his first radio brodcast as a commentator in 1947.At about this time The Lynxes Cricket Club was formed by those two stalwart members of school staff, Frank Evans and Tony Congreve and Peter was immediately an enthusiastic and active member.

Severe back problems restricted his participation in later years although the Club records show he completed 33 innings with a highest score of 67 and an average of around 18, as well as taking 10 catches and two more wickets as a bowler.Just as in the many years he spent driving the activities of the OCA, Peter never shied away from working on behalf of others and he acted as Fixture Secretary for the Club until 1965.

Peter followed the School's sporting fixtures and results closely over many years and was instrumental in bringing star studded M.C.C. sides to play against the School XI. He was also concerned that the standard of the wicket on Bigside was maintained and at one point he helped to bring expertise in from the Oval groundsman. The obvious successor to Frank Evans, Peter was President of the Club from 1979 to 1997.

In spite of his busy broadcasting schedules as the BBC's "face of cricket" and as commentator and writer on a wide range of other sports, Peter kept in close contact with the Lynxes and the club owes him considerable gratitude for specific donations he made to ensure its financial security. His loyal and knowledgeable support from the boundary was especially appreciated in the later years when he would travel up from Gloucestershire to watch several matches in the week.

Peter would be pleased to know that Cranbrook School prospers and that the Lynxes Club continues to provide OCs with the opportunity of playing enjoyable cricket on Bigside. Members of the Lynxes remember Peter with great affection and admiration.

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