Cricket Witness No 3 - The Daffodil Blooms

38 The tricky question of the captaincy The Western Mail newspaper also ran a daily update showing the progress made in securing donations and promoting forthcoming functions. During the first week of the campaign, the column also began with the following words: “this is an S.O.S. to tradesmen, businessmen generally, philanthropists and sportsmen, everybody who must feel a wrench at the thought that next season we shall go back to the backwaters of cricket, unless…..” 8 A host of other fund-raising activities took place, with Colonel Homfray, the father-in-law of Johnnie Clay, opening up the beautiful grounds of his home at Penlline Castle near Cowbridge, so that members of the public could look around the gardens, with all the entrance money going towards the campaign. Collections were made at the greyhound races at the Arms Park, whilst a series of coffee mornings, concerts and other public events were held. Over £2,000 had been pledged by the end of September, and with promises of other handsome sums coming in, the committee agreed “to take the risk of carrying on.” 9 But not everyone shared such anoptimistic viewfor the future of the Club. During the next few months, Tyler stood down as Treasurer, whilst Arthur Gibson, the long-serving Honorary Secretary, also called it a day. Their departure meant that Maurice took over the secretary’s duties whilst Clay assumed the treasurer’s duties. For both it was an extra burden of work, but having the pair of well- The Arms Park pictured during a County Championship match during the late 1920s.