This little item may remind all those who went on tour about some amusing moments, but for others it could be quite meaningless! The trip down to Minehead was quite uneventful really. Estimates of mileage was banded about by Shaun and Brian, but Joe was right of course. The fact that Brian had to do a detour via the " Mid-Sussex Times" (local paper) office had no bearing on the result whatsoever! It was warm in the car, but by opening the windows a draught occurred which meant closing them. Shaun promptly caught his hand in the window as he used the electric button to close it with his right hand. Minehead greeted us in sunshine and we made our way through the barriers at Butlins, parked and headed off for the meeting place where we hoped to find our team-mates. The " Genie" , Edwin, Mick and Sue were all drinking outside one of the bars listening to a quiz being organised by one of the Redcoats. The questions on television soap operas, especially " Neighbours" was answered correctly each time by the " Genie" . (Short for Genius? I think not) We heard the story of " Gez" map reading for Kev Davey. The conversation went something like, " we go along this road and next is Watchet" . Gez says, " Watch what?" He never got any better during those five days! Poor Gez, he was the butt of all those jokes about " Five buttocks" , only because he's put on a lot of weight! Gerald Brown doing the washing up Eventually everyone had arrived, everyone that is apart from the lads in James Croydon's car. More about that later. We heard that Margaret Fletcher and Baz Watling slept together as Brian Fletcher drove down. Together in the same car, not at the same time! We also heard that Jim Platt left later than planned because he had dropped off in the bath! We also heard that Roger got lost going down (was that because Pat was not with him?) " Motty" sorted out our accommodation details and we left to inspect the premises. We learned that block booking maybe a thing of the past after many incidents earlier in the year. However, as we are a trustful bunch, it did not affect us after all, although we did wonder at the time. Gez objected to paying his £ 50 just to sleep on the sofa. He said that a 3ft person could not sleep on that sofa. " What do you mean?" asked Mr Sitwell, " Three feet wide?" We brought our belongings to the chalets, which were comfortable and had an excellent shower facility. Rich was seen bringing in his comforter - a duvet! Brian Still had to stay with Gez, Kev and Tom Benham. The Fletchers stayed with Mr and Mrs David Hawke and family. Mick and Sue had the two scorers as company, " Motty" sharing with " Hadders" and Rich. Roger and Jim Pluckrose shared with Mr and Mrs Platt and Jonathan. The lads, left to fend together, were Dan Lomas, Kevin Johnson and the Croydon bros., who still hadn't arrived! Some of us left the site to stroll into the town and seek out an eating place for the evening. Suddenly James arrived with a laden down car. Dan had map-read, but truth betold, they followed some " totty" apparently and ended up on a 7-hour trip to Somerset. Others decided to shower and change ready for the evening. Kev wanted one and Tom said that he would join him! Not sure about Tom's intentions there but I'm sure they're innocent! Stilly walked off with the wrong chalet key before we all set off for the Beach Hotel for a carvery. Joe nearly got done after being charged for 26 meals instead of 13! Well spotted Sue! A lovely meal was enjoyed by all including Gez who dunked his potatoes in his drink of lager! Night club beckons back at Butlins and we were soon entertained by an Uncle Joe lookalike pretending to be Roger DeCourcey together with his Nookie Bear. An excellent show was enjoyed. We left at varying stages during the evening to retire for some sleep. Mick didn't sleep too well apparently, he was disturbed by a duck wanting to share his bed! The Tuesday match was at Timberscombe which was not far from Minehead. Some of the tourists took themselves off in glorious sunshine to explore the area, some just went back to bed, whilst others went off to swim , play snooker or go bowling. We arrived in convoy at the little village cricket ground early and practised our catching skills." Hadders" still has the safest pair of hands, but only just from " Stilly" . James and David Croydon making new friends at Timberscombe Timberscombe batted first. Baz scored and Joe went around the ground taking action photographs. Barry Watling scoring at Timberscombe The village scored an massive 247-6 in their 40 overs as all Ansty bowlers used took a wicket each. Tour organiser Andy Mott held two good catches. In reply Ansty kept up with the run rate with Rich Nichols scoring 53. Mick Nicholas made 39 and Dave Hawke hit 22. Timberscombe had an Aussie playing called Steve Upton and the rumour was that he was such a pacy bowler. Our awaiting batsmen teased him as he fielded nearby. Conversations included such references as " 1-0 to England in the Ashes" and " Mark Taylor was a rubbish player" and so on. Rich was batting well when Upton started his spell. He made two bowling marks, one for his spinners and the other " miles away" for his faster delivery. After being wound up, he decided to bowl his faster ball at Richard, who dispatched it past him for a boundary. Rich took 12 off him that over. However it was Kevin Davey's 47 ball 99 not out (nine sixes and seven fours) that saw Ansty to victory. He took apart the local pub landlord when he hit 32 off him in one over! Ansty won the match with 11 balls to spare. Kev needed a six for his century when scores were level, but lost two partners before hitting a four for the winning runs. We left for the pub and had a very good meal. Rich had to buy a jug for his 53 (as did Kev), but asked the landlord for a smaller jug! An award went to the landlord, not for giving us 32 runs in an over, but for throwing the ball over the boundary whilst facing the square! The " Bald Bloke" (Brian Fletcher) held a good catch but was fined for kicking the ball over the boundary. Other fines were given for misfields and dropped catches and ducks! We ended the evening in the pub singing the songs that made Ansty famous, but other bands made hits out of them! One such tune was " Bohemian Rhapsody" . We returned to Minehead and showered and changed for a night in the clubs. Tom got chatting to some girls and suddenly they all joined us! Known to some of us as the " Spice Girls" , one or two of us enjoyed the evening in their company. The lads inspect the wicket Next day was a long trip to East Huntspill so we had to meet earlier. Weather was still good so another good game was in prospect, or so we thought. Night time activities were revealed. Jim Pluckrose has apparently taken up star gazing as twice he fell from a fence post and laid there with his legs in the air studying the constellations. We learned that " Hadders" threw up! We also learned that Tom fell asleep beside the disco speakers in the night club. Other things happened but after all, this is a family magazine! Dan Lomas certainly ate well (?) whilst on tour. He never seemed to be too far away from a box of Barbecue flavoured Pringles. It is understood that he pulled the curtains down in his chalet but at least he didn't break the toilet seat! That accolade went to Kevin Johnson who was standing on the the toilet seat admiring his legs! (?) The travelling down in convoy to East Huntspill went well, Baz driving Rich's car so that he could put his flip-flopped foot out of the window as they drove around Bridgewater! Unfortunately, our hosts could only muster six players by the time we arrived. A couple more arrived, so we started the match giving them a sub fielder or two. One of them (James) caught out his brother (David) much to the latter's annoyance. The batting order was juggled with Rich Nichols, Kev Davey and Shaun Janman occupying the number 9,10 and 11 spots. Andy Hadfield top scored for Ansty with 77 as we made 209-6 declared. Gez hit 24 not out, supported by James (22) and Dan (21). James took 3-20 as Huntspill were all out for 143. By this time they had eleven, including " Bald Bloke" who was visiting a relation for the day, but turned out in his jeans as number 11 and scored an unbeaten 10 including a four off Gez Brown's bowling. Rich Nichols kept wicket and claimed two dismissals. A little sledging was done when son Alway was shouting at Jim Platt to drop a return catch offered by dad Alway! Another good meal was had at the local, before we started off on our return journey. More entertainment that night as we suffered the look and sing alike musicians. Andy Mott in action Thursday morning greeted us with rain. A lot of rain. So much so that Brompton Ralph had to call off our game because of a waterlogged square! It was wet because Brian and Joe took themselves off to visit the pitch. The weather was superb in the afternoon, so some went train spotting, others took part in the Ansty Grand Prix when they drove the Go-karts. Some also took themselves off to go ten-pin bowling once more. Brian, Joe and Shaun elected to leave for home that evening, others were going to leave early next morning. I believe that " Hadders" was stopped by the Butlins security when he was leaving carrying what he thought was Rich's duvet. Rich however could not be contacted as he left his mobile phone and cheque book (and pen) under the mattress in the chalet. We have a lot of personal memories of this tour, some of which should remain personal, but I'm sure you'll all agree that the tour was once again most successful. Ben Hawke (left) and Kev Davey feeding the ducks at Butlins Our thanks go to Andy Mott for co-ordinating the tour. A job well done! Thanks must also go to Brian Still for arranging our tour t-shirts and car stickers. By the way Brian, Tom wanted some glue so that he could put a sticker on his box! Now who's boasting? Story © J Mott 1997
Last updated: 14/05/99
Copyright © B Still 1997-2008	Url: Http://www.anstycc.org.uk/tour97.htm