Lives in Cricket No 21 - Walter Read

25 his coadjutor Mr W.W.Read have laboured assiduously in the important undertaking and only fine weather was needed to crown the success of their efforts. 31 The Club was always willing to publicise Read’s involvement with it, particularly with the first ‘week’ now firmly fixed in the calendar. At the Annual General Meeting in 1879, his being an important part of the ‘week’ was mentioned and the President went on to report a conversation with Mr Frederick Gale. ….he asked him what he thought of their Reigate cricketer and he replied “without exception the best bat in England.” There- fore Reigate stood out pre-eminently in sending a man to do battle for his county worthy of the name of a Reigatonian, of whom they ought to feel justly proud, not only for his prowess in the field, but for the great assistance he rendered this club. 32 For 1881, the fixtures were modified, the Stock Exchange and Old Brucians replacing Guildford and Brighton Brunswick: the matches against MCC and the Gentlemen of Surrey remained. Because of county commitments, Read played in only the last of these when ‘Mr Read got out very unfortunately; he played a ball very hard into the blocking hole, and it going back, went into the stumps.’ 33 The dinner, which was at this stage an integral part of the week, was characterised by the usual mutual flattery with WW very much at its centre. Firstly, Reigate President, George Carter-Morrison: Their friend, Mr W.W. Read of whom as a cricketer Reigate was so justly proud, made some splendid hits while he was at the wicket, and though Mr Read was present he would say before his face what a gentleman had recently told him – that he considered him one of the best bats in England at the present time (applause). Having sent out such men as Caffyn and Mr Read, was it not natural and fair that Reigate should keep up its cricketing prestige? He believed that cricket was indigenous to the people of Reigate and that Reigatonians could not help being cricketers. Wildman Cattley, Treasurer of the county club added – Mr Read was one of the best cricketers of the day, and if they had seen his two innings at Maidstone on Monday and Tuesday, they would have been proud of him indeed. 31 Reigate, Redhill, Dorking and Epsom Journal 22 July 1879 32 Reigate, Redhill, Dorking and Epsom Journal 1 April 1879 33 Reigate, Redhill, Dorking and Epsom Journal 2 August 1881 Reigate Priory