The Valley Of Peace Cricket Club Inc.

Christchurch, New Zealand

Category: News (page 1 of 3)

The day the earth shook, by Whispering Ted, Honest Trundlers

The Honest Trundlers cricket team from Australia have a long, proud and story-filled history on their many (now numbering 17) tours through New Zealand, and always manage to fit in fixtures in Queenstown and Christchurch, amongst many others. Their connection to Christchurch, in particular, was cemented back in February 2011 after being caught in the huge quake that rocked Christchurch & Canterbury and changed local history forever. There were many stories to come from the two main shakes (Sept 2010, and Feb 2011), and most of them make for trying reading, with so much tragedy, trauma and loss.

One first-hand story, which is well worth 10 minutes of your reading time, tells the event from the Honest Trundlers cricket team’s perspective, written so eloquently by team member, Ian “Whispering Ted” Lowe in the 2011 aftermath, and linked here with permission:

“The day the earth shook”, by Ian Lowe

 

Manchester Street, Christchurch, 11 Feb 2011 quake, c/-Stuff NZ 22Feb 2021

 

Port Hills fires and the match cancellation this weekend

The Port Hills above Christchurch have once again come under the threat of serious fires. Similarly to the last big blaze 7 years ago, and almost to the same day, a dangerous fire directly threatened the Hoon Hay Valley, and the Valley of Peace cricket grounds themselves. For the first time in Christchurch history, a howling nor-wester was actually greeted with relief by some residents after the wind picked up and blew the flames back up the valley and over some already burnt ground. This is not to say that the resulting direction was any more comforting to others living up on the Port Hills & Governor’s Bay, and we’re thinking of all residents and their livestock who are still in danger.

Club statement – “Given the current state of emergency, and with firefighting still very active, the decision was made last night to cancel Sunday’s game v Hawkswood Wanderers. We considered it wouldn’t look right look to be enjoying a day’s cricket and eating pickled onions while nearby residents were still displaced, and firefighters were still busy dampening down hotspots.” (S.I.).

A decision will be made about the Honest Trundlers’ match on 25th Feb, closer to the date and depending on conditions.

Further up-to-date information about the fire can be found on the Radio New Zealand Christchurch fire blog.

Christchurch forest fire up a hill with dark smoke

Smoke above Hoon Hay Valley Road, 16 Feb 2024 (c/- RNZ / Angus Dreaver)

Valley of Peace Annual Report, year ended 30th June 2023

The Annual Report from the Valley of Peace Cricket Club AGM for the year ended 30th June 2023, is now available to read online (click on image – PDF). Thank you to all who attended the AGM on 24th October 2023, and here’s to another successful season ahead.

Thank you to President Scott Cartwright for a wonderful write-up. Now let’s play cricket…

Valley of Peace annual report 2023 pdf document

Notice of Valley of Peace Cricket Club AGM for 2023

All members are reminded that the Valley of Peace Cricket Club AGM will take place on Tuesday, 24th October 2023, at the Canterbury Club in Christchurch, 129 Cambridge Terrace. Parking is available behind the Club off Worcester Street.

Please note the dress code for the Canterbury Club on their guest information page (link).

It will be great to see everyone there, including the new faces around the Club.

Note – thank you to everyone who contributed to the working bee last Sunday. We had a good turnout and plenty was achieved.

Working Bee, 15 October 2023

Scissors cutting long grass

The first cricket match of the season is fast approaching so we need to get a working bee crew together to tidy a few things up down at the Valley ground.

Gardening gloves, hand saw, secateurs

Sunday 15th October, 10.15am onwards

 

There will be a morning tea & refreshments put on for attendees. Bring a pair of gloves, your leaf rake and other tools as you see fit.

It would be good to see a whole bunch of faces there on Sunday. Come along, do your bit to help the Valley of Peace Cricket Club out, have a couple of laughs (& the famous morning tea!), and meet a few new Club members.

If the weather is poor, we will reschedule … keep an eye on your email. See you there!

Valley of Peace Family Picnic Day, 26th Mar 2023

The usual Valley of Peace Christmas Family Picnic was postponed due to illness and poor weather in late 2022. The host had already invested (club funds) heavily into an assortment of sweets and chocolate bars so a replacement date HAD to be found. No game was scheduled for Sunday 26th March, so it made perfect sense to slot in there.

The weather forecast wasn’t great, but the day turned out fine. Formalities included the ‘egg and spoon’ race, sack race, 3-legged race, sprint race and a lolly scramble for kids. For adults, the usual lawn bowls competition was played out.

The bowls winners were the formidable Tina Cartwright and Don McKendry, whilst second place went to Ollie Dugdale and Alice (from Jim Smith’s family group). Thank you to Ant Polson for preparing the bowling green.

I’m very pleased to report there was a lovely bunch of kids present. There wasn’t a single tear or dropped-lip to be seen … and everyone had a good time.

Jim Smith and his family were awarded the largest family group prize.

Keep an eye out for the 2023 Christmas Family Picnic … it would be great to see a few more people there.

Picnic Day host
Phil Smith

 

Valley of Peace Annual Family Picnic Day, 26th March 2023

To all members, families and friends,

You are all warmly invited to the Valley of Peace Cricket Club’s family picnic day, to be held at the Valley cricket ground:

 Sunday, 26th March 2023, starting at 11.30am

 

people playing lawn bowls on grass

Lawn bowls, 2020

It’s a BYO everything occasion.

There will be games and prizes for the kids (proof of age will be required for those slightly older than “kid”!). There will also be prizes for the best fancy-dressed kid and for the biggest represented family/group on the day.

The annual hotly contested lawn bowls competition for the adults will also take place – a crowd favourite, with pairs who fancy themselves for the win in training for the past few months, out there on their back lawns through rain, hail or shine. An event not to be missed.

Bring the whole family and friends – the more the merrier. It’s a fun day for all, and the best location for a sunny picnic in the whole of Christchurch.

There will be a nominal fee of $5 per car to help cover our costs.

The Valley of Peace Committee

(Note – Sir Dave Dobbyn will not be appearing at this event)

children running in a three-legged race on lawn

The three-legged race at the Valley of Peace, 2017

Quiz Night for the Valley of Peace Cricket Club 2022

Valley of Peace Cricket Club Quiz Night – POSTPONED

New date – Monday 27th June 2022

 

    • 7.00pm for a 7.15pm start, or come earlier and have a meal
    • O’Shea’s Public House, 124 Marshland Road, Shirley (click for web link)
    • It’s not a cricket quiz or a sports quiz … it’s just a normal general knowledge pub quiz
    • Supper will be provided
    • Lots of good prizes
    • Raffle draws
    • Teams of 4 … but if you don’t have a team, just come along and we’ll find a team for you – no problem!
    • $15.00 per person (pay cash or use the VoP EFTPOS machine).

 

So it’s the more the merrier! Bring your neighbour, your wife, your neighbour’s wife, girlfriend, flatmate or cousin. We just want to see people supporting the cricket club!

And if you are kindly able to provide a prize for the raffle and/or quiz, please contact Scott Cartwright or Phil Smith.

Valley of Peace annual family Christmas picnic, 19th Dec 2021

The annual Club member family Christmas picnic is to be held on Sunday 19th December at the Valley ground. All members and their families are welcome; the more the merrier!

Start time to be announced closer to the day. Come back here for further details.

There will be plenty of kids’ activities and prizes. We’ll get the water slide going and we’re pretty sure Santa will be there too.

BYO everything (that’s half the fun!).

It doesn’t matter if you don’t have kids to bring … come along and catch up with friends and see what’s been happening at the Club.

Come and see our museum and curation work first-hand.

Valley Family Christmas Picnic Day, the Smith Family

Valley of Peace Fundraiser Quiz Night washup, 8th Mar 2021

A good night was had by all at O’Shea’s Public House on Marshlands Road for the Valley of Peace Cricket Club’s Fundraiser Quiz Night. There were 11 teams in play with 2 raffle rounds and plenty of prizes … and not just for those in the know! The Club benefitted by $1,100, so a big thank you goes out to those who attended, including members who brought family and friends along, and of course to our generous sponsors.

So, if you think you know your Panama Canal vs Suez Canal and your Madonna vs Cyndi Lauper then come along next year to support your club and have a few laughs. In the meantime please think about supporting our generous sponsors.

Quiz Night Sponsors

Thank you to all of:

 

Fundraiser team members around table

Tom Music and team

Bert Walker and team

Dave Hearn, Peter Smith and team

Jesse Tritschler & John Kerrison

Fundraiser players at pub

Jesse Tritschler & John Kerrison teams

Paul Dearsley & the Sydenham team

Stan Woolliscroft and team

The Tom Music team plotting

Phil Smith & team mate

John Kerrison, Cameron Pickering, Scott Cartwright

Quiz Night for Valley of Peace Cricket Club, 8th March 2021

Your club needs your help … and you can have a few laughs while you do it!

The Valley of Peace Cricket Club needs your help to keep membership and game-day costs affordable so we can keep attracting new members! The Club faces significant ongoing costs, especially ground maintenance, machinery costs, and tree maintenance.

Quiz Night: Monday 8th March 6.45 pm for 7 pm start, or come earlier and have a meal!
Where: O’Shea’s Public House, (Google Maps link)

  •   It’s not a cricket quiz or a sports quiz … it’s just a normal pub quiz
  •   Supper will be provided
  •   Lot’s of good prizes
  •   Raffle draws
  •   Teams of 4 … but if you don’t have a team, just come along and we’ll find a team for you – no problem!
  •   $15 p.p. (please bring cash)

It’s more the merrier! Bring your neighbour, wife, girlfriend, flatmate, or cousin. We just want to see people supporting the Valley of Peace Cricket Club!

If you are able to provide a prize for the raffle and/or quiz, please contact Scott Cartwright or Phil Smith.

See you there.

Phil Smith
Ph 021 358 178

Tradition at Team Boon

Over the many decades, indeed centuries, that cricket has been played across the globe there have been far too many many memorable moments to record, some with the bat, some with the ball, some out in the field, and some in the changing rooms (“What happens in the changing rooms, …..”, as the cliche goes!). In searching through the Valley of Peace Cricket Club’s archives we came across an extreme example of field positioning by Team Boon, showing a degree of confidence that few other field settings can portray. “Intimidating” could well be the term but the more competitive types would proffer the use of “strategic” instead.

Team Boon stand out as having what’s become a dramatic & long-held tradition in the field. In the words of Scott Cartwright, “they start (every game) with this formation until the first run is scored; the person at 9th slip, who is usually the youngest player playing for them that day, has to field the ball where ever it goes in the field. They resume their normal positions after the first run has been scored. A terrific tradition that has been going over 20 years”.

Team Boon cricketers in the slips

Team Boon open the innings in their familiar field positions

 

Team Boon are not the only team to have colourfully spread themselves across the greater slip cordon over the decades, with 9th slip almost closer to the boundary than to the stumps! For example:

Damien Fleming bowling for Australia’s 50-over side vs the hapless Zimbabweans

Australian, Dennis Lillee’s familiar set field for all English batsmen

 

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