A Tribute to Tim Pitcher

One of the stalwarts of Falkland Cricket Club, Tim Pitcher, died on Friday 24th April at the age of 89.

When Tim and his wife, Barbara, moved to Thatcham from St Albans in 1978 because his job was transferred to Wantage, he thought his cricketing days were over. However, he wanted to make sure his young sons, Robert and Nick, had a good introduction to cricket as they grew up and took them to the then recently established Junior Cricket organisation at Falkland CC. However, like many another father before him, Tim found that, whatever his expectations, he was soon involved in the Club himself; he played regularly in the seventies and eighties as a batsman and latterly an off spinner, captained the Sunday Second XI for several years and, when his playing days were over, served meaningfully as Fixture Secretary.

Tim was a quietly spoken, undemonstrative and thoughtful gentleman of the old school, who was utterly dependable. If he said he would do something, you knew it would be done. He never claimed to be a great cricketer, but he made good runs and one lovely, precious, memorable century, on the more demanding uncovered wickets of his day. As Fixture Secretary, Tim played a crucial role in the development of Falkland CC because, at a time when the Saturday league team was still playing at a more modest level, he was able to inveigle senior clubs in the area to accept a Sunday fixture in Wash Common to give them their first experience of the picturesque ground and the improving facilities. Sunday fixtures against top clubs arranged by Tim became a stepping stone to progress in the Saturday league structure.

But Tim’s principal objective was also achieved, as Robert and Nick developed into excellent players, who both represented Berkshire with success. Many a cricketing father would not have been able to resist verbally promoting the boys as they made their way up the ladder or revelling in reflected glory when they got there. Tim was not like that. He maintained his normal demeanour throughout his sons’ progress but took the satisfaction from it that he thoroughly deserved in his normal, quiet, unassuming way. Tim Pitcher was a decent cricketer and a significant contributor to the growth of Falkland Cricket Club, but, much more than that, an outstanding human being.

Peter George – President, Falkland Cricket Club.