Ashford in the Water welcomes the County players
by Peter McGrath, 11th May 2004

Nestling on the banks of the river Wye, Ashford In the Water is renowned for being picturesque and welcoming. Steeped in tradition, most visit the village for the Trinity Sunday Well dressings, a past art resurrected some 40 years ago, as homage to the abundance of water.

The Village also boasts another proud tradition that of village cricket. Ashford in the Water Cricket Club was formed around 1841 and has this year taken steps to ensure that cricket can be enjoyed for generations to come, by launching their New Cricket Pavilion Appeal. The players led by Chairman, Brent Ellis decided that the time was right to invest for the future.

An approach was made to Derbyshire County Cricket Club’s Director of cricket, David Houghton, to see if the county side would support the launch, without hesitation the Derbyshire County Cricket club agreed to send the first eleven and a date was set. Sunday, 13 June at 1pm , two days before they are due to play the touring New Zealand side.

Planning began in earnest and a small working party was set up to manage this unique event in Ashford in the Water history.The Cricket Club’s new sponsor, Coverworld U.K Ltd, Chesterfield agreed to be the main match sponsor, and many other local businesses followed, pledging and donating funds to the cause.

This event has quickly become more than just a game for the Cricket team. All the village has responded and are becoming involved, the Parish and village councils have lent their full support in many different ways, it does seem that it has been a catalyst in providing a certain buzz around the area, so much so that one publication of a local newsletter announced that Ashford in the Water CC were to play England. (One step at a time eh lads).

DERBYSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET CLUB

Back Row : Karl Krikken (Academy Director) | Craig Ranson (Physio) | Dominic Hewson | Rawait Khan
Neil Gunter | Nick Walker | Paul Havell | James Chapman | Mohammed Sheikh | Anthony Botha | James Bryant
Steve Selwood | Hassan Adnan | John Brown (Scorer) | David Houghton (Director of Cricket)
Front Row :- Mohammad Ali | Andrew Gait | Kevin Dean | Graeme Welch (vice Captain) | John Smedley (Chief
Executive) | Luke Sutton (Captain) | Stephen Stubbings | Christopher Bassano | Nathan Dumelow

The day itself will offer so much,and not just for cricket lovers, a licensed bar and barbeque will be available, plus a raffle with some great sporting prizes that have already been donated by many of the professional Cricket league Clubs, but the greatest prize of all must be the opportunity to see Derbyshire County Cricket team in action, David Houghton has promised a game that will be taken seriously, guaranteeing plenty of runs for the spectators, and a great fun day for all the family.

In conjunction with the event the Ashford in the Water Cricket Club has decided to promote and support the Club’s President, Jasper Olivier (pictured left) tenure as High Sheriff of Derbyshire. Jasper Olivier was raised in Derbyshire at Ashford Hall where he now resides.

Educated at Eton and after a commission in the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, Jasper worked in the City of London , joining Hambros Bank in 1962, where he remained until thirty years later. As a director of the bank he specialised in investment management and was an expert in the Far East markets, travelling extensively in Japan , the Philippines , Singapore and Australia .

Following the death of his father in 1992 Jasper has taken over the running of the farm and estate at Ashford, where sheep and Beef cattle are farmed, a small shoot is managed and some excellent trout fishing on the Wye can be found.