Graham Stonadge is the man charged by Ross Cricket Club with ensuring the celebrations for the 175th anniversary year go with a swing.

Ross Cricket Club has a new '175 committee' which is planning a series of interesting and high-profile events in the town throughout the year. Committee Chairman, Graham, is working with a group of talented volunteers who are dedicated to making 2012 a fantastic year for Ross CC and the wider community of Ross.

Queen Victoria, Britain's longest reigning monarch, ascended to the throne three weeks before the first game of cricket was played at Ross-on-Wye Cricket Club on July 7th, 1837. This auspicious first match saw Married Men pitched against Single Men. The club has been in continuous existence since that date and a re-enactment of the Married v Single Men game will take place at The Park on the weekend of July 7th and 8th as part of a Week of Cricket.

Other events planned to celebrate the anniversary include a History Tour of Ross. Mary Sinclair-Powell is working with Ross CC and gathering information through her research to provide an interesting walk on February 16th. A Race Night in March, a Sports Memorabilia and Promise Auction at the Chase Hotel on April 20th, a Jubilee Sixes Tournament to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in June are also being organised.

To crown the season there will be a Gala 175 Dinner at the Chase Hotel on Friday, September 21st with Geoff Miller (Chairman of the England Cricket Selectors) as guest speaker.

More details and tickets are available from [email protected]">[email protected] or [email protected]">[email protected].

A commemorative 175 handbook will be issued which will contain anecdotes about players, events, matches through the ages. Anyone in Ross who has tales that they would like to share would be welcomed by the committee. Photos and memorabilia will all be catalogued and returned safely to the owner.

The club is issuing an open invitation to the people of Ross and the surrounding districts to join them as they celebrate 175 years of cricket.