Geoff Welstead has kindly shared this article which he wrote for the 12th Man magazine reflecting on the link between the YGs and Rajkot in India, the home of the world-renowned cricketer, Kumar
Shri Ranjitsinhji (Maharajah Jam Sahib of Nawanagar) which he became aware of due to the early finish to the third test in India in 2024 when he visited the magnificent Rajkumar school.
We were sorry to learn that Geoff Thornburn sadly passed way recently. A lot of you will have played with Geoff over the years he played at the club.
The President has a particular memory from a St Peter’s game:
I remember in my last season being put on to bowl along side Geoff when all looked lost. Not only did they lose some wickets in quick time but the school eventually had to settle for a draw. Thelma key point though was that Geoff took the wicket of a certain Jonny Bairstow. What a scalp.
Paul White says: Geoff was a most enthusiastic member of the YG’s for , l would estimate , at least 10 years . He was always a Very Good team player and l know all those who knew Geoff will hold fond memories of him .
In addition we are told: He was always enthusiastic, bowled an obvious yet successful slower ball and to this day is the only man I know to not wear a box when batting. He supported the club, provided planters at the pavilion and was a pleasure to be around.
Geoff’s funeral is to be held at Lelley Fields crematorium, close to Preston , East of Hull on Monday 29th December at 2.30pm. Food and refreshments will be afterwards at The Railway Inn, New Ellerby where the family would love to see as many people as possible to share memories and eventful stories about Geoff.
John Langton, who has died aged 92, was at home in the English art world.
He made art, talked about art, and wrote about art for magazines and newspapers, including the Guardian. He received public commissions from the Universities of Durham, Sussex and York. Yet his chief success stemmed from his fascination with Germany – its history, people and culture.
Sweet pea contrejour, 2009, by John Langton
From 1971 he took part in 17 shows in West Germany, 12 of which were solo exhibitions. Unexpected in this robust career was the tenderness and handling of light in his flower paintings, produced in 2009, after a period of illness. They formed a sell-out show at Spelman’s, the famous bookshop in York.
John was born and lived for most of his life in York. His father, Albert Langton, was a railway engineer and city councillor, his mother, Annie (nee Cuthbert), a housewife. He was educated at Nunthorpe grammar school and by his father, who encouraged his son’s interest in reading and politics.
Aged 16, he entered York School of Art, and when its headteacher Dudley Holland left to become director of Guildford School of Art, John followed him. There he met David Lloyd Jones, who became an outstanding ceramicist and collaborated with John on commissions, including some for the newly established University of York in 1963. In time they formed half of the group of artists known as “the York Four”, the other two being Russell Platt and Reg Williams.
When John undertook national service with the Green Howards, part of his time was spent in Germany. Meanwhile, his father, as chair of the York education committee, had recognised that York’s Art Gallery needed a full-time curator, and boldly gave the job to Hans Hess, a German Jewish refugee and a Marxist who was familiar with modernist European art. Hess became John’s chief mentor and introduced him to a cultural milieu of internationally renowned artists, intellectuals and musicians.
After John left the army, he returned to York, undertook teacher training at St John’s College of Ripon and York and met Patricia Lee. They married in 1960, and eventually settled in a house in Fulford with an old coachhouse in the garden that was transformed into a large studio.
Hess encouraged John’s European outlook. His interest in Germany now brought him introductions to dealers and collectors in whose country, at this time, the acquisition of contemporary art could be offset against tax. The demand for John’s work enabled him to give up teaching.
He began painting abstracts in the early 1960s but took note also of pop art. Figurative images and narrative interest took over, but in the 80s he caught the various moods evoked by parks, gardens and topiary, deftly playing on the mysterious correspondences between nature and the imagination.
York University gifted John an honorary doctorate in 1995, and is planning a major exhibition of his work for 2026 with the intention of representing him not only as a member of the York scene over several decades, but also as a recognised European figure.
John is survived by Pat, their daughter, Jessica, and son, James, and three grandchildren, Sophie, Olivia and Liam.
Paul has also mentioned: He was also a member of the Langton’s Eleven’ which was a group of chaps, including me, who could usually be found after our matches at the Wellington pub in Fulford. John used to arrange matches with equally ad hoc teams around York district. They were great fun. He was very pleased to have had such a positive response for his painting of the Escrick ground with a match in progress from which he created the print that can be found hanging in many YG’s houses (and which was has been used on most club emails).
Some verses to celebrate John Langton’s 80th birthday at the New Years Eve party held in his Fulford studio on the 31st December 2012.
JOHN BATS ON.
How can a man of eighty years,
Who’s drunk much wine and many beers,
Still be standing at his crease?
We pray such wonders never cease.
Of course, as I can say for one,
When bowling, all there is to see is John.
Behind him hidden, the stumps and keeper,
Fine leg too, but somewhat deeper.
His life, we know, has been his art,
Cut deep and clear upon his heart.
By him, for sure, are tales well told.
Erudite, with wit, the best are old.
From rugby field and barrack square,
To Christian Brothers brutal care.
From anecdotes I’m loath to quote,
To writers droll and all they wrote.
‘Renaissance man’ some wag might say,
But such remarks he’d brush away.
For lozzaking is where he shines.
His Dad was first to see the signs.
So John bats on, and on and on
And may, by snicks, just reach a ton.
And if he does, then waves his bat,
Help him off – James and Jess and Pat.
Now stand who can, to John a toast.
A special friend, a generous host.
That’s quite enough of ropey rhymes.
Please raise your glass “To better times”.
Definition – (see the Langton Lexicon):
“Lozzacking”, the lazy pursuit of pleasure and entertainment
when one should be studying and taking life seriously.
Paul Elmhirst
14th Dec 2012
The square has now been put to bed for the season - the scarifying, spreading of loam, etc has been completed. Our thanks go to Phil Holland, Nigel Bartram and Paul White (and others) for all their hard work in recent weeks and over the season.
Whilst you are sat in the gym (hopefully!) or in front of a roaring fire over winter why not consider volunteering to HELP THE CLUB.
We are in need of a new TREASURER and MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY - could you help please? Please email Richard Fletcher rgfsmarden@btopenworld.com for more details
We are delighted to advise you that Heather Gilbert has kindly agreed to take over from Mel Neary as fixture secretary, and is being supported by Geoff Barker and others in preparing our 2026 fixture list. We extend our grateful thanks to Mel Neary for stepping in to take on this role over the last year or so.
Royal Household v YGs played at Home Park, Windsor on Sunday, 27 August 2025
Glorious weather and a rather special venue. From the cricket square the castle tower, some 400 yards distant, peeped curiously through the trees. An array of photographs in the well-appointed, and beautifully maintained pavilion, revealed a significant number of Royals both playing and spectating over many decades. A framed stump from the infamous Bodyline series was of interest to those that have a passion for historical cricketana.
On such a hot day, winning the toss, electing to bat, scoring just shy of 300 and then offering the charming hosts less overs than we received (39/37) is, perhaps, not the way to expect a further invite, but negative rumblings were countered by sweet talking big Fletch (sporting a splendid MCC handkerchief which clashed violently with his YG blazer) and also, perhaps more subtlety, from our man in the scorebox in charge of the YG book. Their scorer was also their Fixture Secretary.
Alfie Spencer was at his belligerent best and biffed 154 off a mere 86 balls before being called back to the pavilion. Does a 'retired out' count as a red-inker? No it doesn't. Sorry, Alfie! Charlie O'Kelly reeled off a string of delightful textbook shots and contributed a cameo knock of 40. Dad D and Uncle R looked on approvingly. Great to see O'Kelly x 3 on the scorecard. The hosts had an opening stand of 114 but thereafter wickets tumbled at regular intervals and a chase was never realistically on. Smithy helped himself to four cheap wickets and at the close the Royal Household were 80 short of their target, and had lost eight wickets. Match drawn. As the players left the field a gaggle of geese in perfect formation flew across the ground. Not quite the Red Arrows but perhaps we were not deserving of such a grand aerobatic treat?
A great day was had by all (but jazz-hat cricket is not league cricket and needs to be played differently). A lost art?
Geoff Wellsteed
Borderers v YGs at Cliffe Hall, Piercebridge played on Sunday 27 July 2025
The Borderers club colours are brown, blue and pink, (which perhaps implausibly represent the Tyne, Coquet and Tweed rivers), but regrettably this was a black day for the YGs. Our flag hung limply from the pavilion flagpole but not quite so limply as we surrendered to the hosts.
The home side batted first and from only 35 overs they amassed 294-6d. Young Louis Turner bowled quickly and was our best bowler with figures of 5-0-16-1, although Will Green managed 5-0-33-3. A young Ampleforth schoolboy scored an excellent century. In reply by the end of the first over we were 2-2. We eventually managed an all out total of 125 thanks to an workmanlike 44 from Finn Turner. Tom Henry 12, Geoff Barker 13 and Craig Chafer 24 were the only other batters to get into double figures.
A beautiful rural setting, a rustic pavilion, magnificent trees surrounding the boundary, decent weather and a splendid tea. All ingredients for good jazz-hat cricket.....but, sadly, a day best forgotten for the YGs.
YGs v Cheshire Gents, Tuesday 24 June 2025
A strong opposition and a number of rain breaks made life difficult for the YGs against Goldy’s Cheshire team. Batting first the YGs put 250-3d on the board from 47 overs thanks to 113 from James VDM, Sam Duckworth 65* and, in form, James Rossington 28*. Violent CG hitting from three Overseas players, most notably Robin Smith from Durban (who arrived in his club supplied sponsored car) scoring a lightning 90, along with Mehta 64 and Nel 43* which secured the visitors a victory in the very last over of the last hour, but in must be confessed their target was achieved in a mere 29.2 overs for the loss of only four wickets. James VDM did his best to contain their belligerent approach, but even his four wickets cost 81 runs from 11 overs. Despite the outcome, and the unwelcome rain, it was a jolly day enjoyed by both sides. It goes without saying that Heather provided another excellent lunch while Paul ensured all port glasses were brim full.
