Lives in Cricket No 21 - Walter Read

21 In 1876, WW’s county appearances being restricted, as usual until 1881, to the summer vacation, he played for the Priory Club, led one of the teams in the early season practice match, 22 played for the XI in the XI v XII fixture 23 and played for the Singles against the Marrieds, scoring 22 and taking five wickets as the Marrieds were dismissed in their second innings for 34. The match was followed by the closing dinner of the season at the Grapes Hotel. 24 His achievements in the season were recognised in ‘a very handsome present from the county club’ accompanied by a letter from the Secretary. The Committee of the Surrey County Cricket Club beg your acceptance of it as a slight token of the ready help you have given to them this year as a recognition of the high services you have rendered to the cricket of the county, and also as a mark of esteem for you personally. It was complemented by a letter in similar terms from James Nightingale, Secretary of the Reigate Priory Club. I am sure I represent the feelings of all the members of that club the pride and pleasure they feel at this recognition of one of their number, and take this opportunity of thanking him for the assistance he has rendered the Priory Club, which he has never deserted, although far better opportunities elsewhere have been offered him. 25 There is no clue as to what these might have been. He scored 588 runs in the season at an average of 42, compared with 247 at 30.87 the previous year. Despite his time being split between club and county, he became more involved in the administration of the Club in 1877, when James Nightingale expressed a wish to relinquish the post of Secretary and it was suggested that Read might step into the breach. He protested that the duties might be too onerous and a joint secretaryship with Nightingale was suggested; Nightingale was sceptical whether that would work, the President suggested they try and make it work and it seems to have done for four years until Read became involved more or less full time with the county club and his brother Arthur took over his half of the Priory job. On the question of the appointment of a Secretary, Mr 22 Reigate, Redhill, Dorking and Epsom Journal 23 May 1876 23 Reigate, Redhill, Dorking and Epsom Journal 18 July 1876 24 Reigate, Redhill, Dorking and Epsom Journal 26 September 1876 25 Reigate, Redhill, Dorking and Epsom Journal 3 October 1876 Reigate Priory