WEST COUNTRY TOUR 2001

By David Bibby, 19/08/01: Yes, that time of year has come round again. Time for you to put into use the many hours of pulling and hooking, bantering and bowling, joking and sledging, and unleashing them upon the unsuspecting folk of the West Country.

For the 20th time, the OLCC is heading out west for four days of fun in the sun with the added bonus of some high quality cricket to boot.

This year's tour marks a break from the traditional Wednesday to Saturday format and instead sees the introduction of Tuesday to Friday cricket, with the mouthwatering prospect of a tour opener against the might of Lyme Regis (present record against the Dorset men: played 1, won 1, in 1989). This means the tour climaxes against Compton Dundon on the Friday, with games at Sherborne and Axminster sandwiched in between.

If the purity of top-class cricket isn't enough for some, there is plenty else to keep oneself amused. The Nemesis that is the Brain of Somerset Quiz will be held on the Wednesday evening, and, as ever, all efforts should be directed firmly towards achieving the ultimate accolade any OLCC cricketer can hope for - the Tour Joker award.

Add to this the Tortoiseless Trophy for the finest exponents of the cow shot and making a pig's ear of things, and there is plenty to be going on with. All this and there is barely need to mention the other attractions of the local night spots/Parkland discos that are to be found in the side streets of Crewkerne, or the fine golfing prospects that the Somerset countryside offers.

Despite the high levels of satisfaction with the Tour Headquarters last year, an executive decision was made to move back to the metropolis of Crewkerne this year and seek refuge in The George Hotel. With its central location to all the fixtures it seemed the sensible base, even given the newly acquired garage extension at the White Hart.

Tour Party:

John Acland-Hood (Joint Tour Manager)
David Bibby (Joint Tour Manager)
Dominic, Charlie and Josh Beer (Brewery Manager)
Graham, Edward and Tom Carter (injuries permitting)
Paul Chalmers (Joint Manager)
James Craig (debut tour)
Julian Fitter (joker extraordinaire manager)
Tom Gillmor & Melissa (Magic Easel Manager)
Andrew and Susan Moss (Mickey Mouse Manager)
Richard Price & entourage (very strange manager)
Phil Samuels (Gas Board Manager)
Geoff Samuels & Vicki (Gout Manager)
Julian Shackel (Joint Manager)
Chris Straw (Ron Manager)
Michael Thomas (debut tour)

Tour Fixtures (click for team news):

Tuesday August 28: Lyme Regis CC (2pm start)
Wednesday August 29: Sherborne CC (2pm start)
Thursday August 30: Dick Richards Rides Again XI (11.30am start)
Friday August 31: Compton Dundon CC (2pm start)

Tour HQ:

The George Hotel, Market Square, Crewkerne, Somerset TA18 7LP. E-mail

Full Tour Itinerary:

Tuesday August 28

12pm onwards: Meet at the Talbot Inn, Uplyme (A3052 heading into Lyme Regis)
1.30pm: Converge on Lyme Regis CC (opposite petrol station in Uplyme on A3052)
2pm: OLCC v Lyme Regis CC
8.30pm onwards: Check in at Tour HQ, followed by dinner, drinks, awards and evening jovialities

Wednesday August 29

8am: Breakfast
9am: OLCC AGM - click here for agenda (in members' section)
12pm onwards: Meet at Skippers pub, Sherborne (on A352 just south of junction with A30)
1.30pm: Rendezvous at Sherborne CC (south of town on A352)
2pm: OLCC v Sherborne CC
8.30pm: Return to Tour HQ for dinner and awards, followed by Brain of Somerset Quiz

Thursday August 30

8am: Breakfast
11am: Meet at Axminster CC (on right on way into Axminster on A358)
11.30am: OLCC v Dick Richards Select XI/Wessex Stags
9pm: Return to tour HQ via Bengals of Chard or Prince of Bengal, Crewkerne

Friday August 31

8am: Breakfast
12pm: Gather at Castlebrook Inn, Compton Dundon (north of Somerton on Street road)
1.30pm: Meet at Compton Dundon CC
2pm: OLCC v Compton Dundon CC
8pm onwards: Descend upon Acland-Hood mansion in Butleigh Wooton for dinner, awards, jovialities, ping-pong
Later: Head into Street for alternative accommodation or Maximes Nightclub

Links: