Sad news to report in that two of the club’s Life Vice-Presidents, Steve Adams & Pauline Kent, have died, Steve on 11 October and Pauline on 4 October at the age of 90.

Steve Adams joined the club in 1983, having previously played at Amersham Hill, and played through until 2005 when he and his wife Chris decided to retire to Somerset. Some years ago, Steve was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and his health deteriorated. They had only in the last few months moved back to live with their son Jim in Didcot.

Steve’s career with Wendover saw him play in the 2nd and 3rd teams/ on Sundays; he was a left-hand bat and bowled left-arm spin. He featured in the club’s top 30 batsmen in the 10-year period from 1996 to 2005 with 1,335 runs at 12.59 and a best of 53. He was better known as a bowler and made it into the top 30 bowlers twice, in 1986-1995 and 1996-2005. His overall bowling stats were 3,285 overs, 643 maidens, 526 wickets for 10,494 runs at an average of 19.95; he had a best of 5 for 19 and took 5 wickets 15 times.

He was 3rd XI captain in 1996 and was awarded the Bowling Cup in both 2001 and 2002, plus the All-Rounders Cup in 2001. He served on the committee as Secretary in 1997 & 1998 and again in 2004 & 2005.

Pauline Kent had been suffering from dementia for several years and died peacefully at home. She was Jim Kent’s wife and mother to Wendover cricketers Stephen and Peter (1981-2002/2006). She and Jim formed a fine partnership at matches with Jim umpiring and Pauline scoring, which enabled both of them to see their sons playing.
The club has never scheduled officials’ matches, unlike players’ averages, so without trawling through scorebooks, there is no way of knowing how many matches Pauline scored. However, the number will have been considerable and she performed a very valuable service to the teams of yesteryear.

Peter Kent has messaged to say "Both Mum & Dad loved their involvement with the cricket club as it played such a huge part of our family life. I always remember Bob Whitehead being horrified when I unfortunately hit my Dad on the head with a straight drive at Aston Rowant whilst umpiring. Mum did not want to go the Hospital with him as I was close to scoring a hundred & she wanted to be there to record it!
She had a wonderful life and will be sorely missed but thankfully now reunited once again with Dad."

Pauline’s funeral is on Friday 22 November at Amersham Crematorium, at 12.30 p.m.

If you want to send condolences to either or both families, contact Jonathan Seabrook on 07767-148 119 or jseabrook@wendoveremail.co.uk for details.

One final sad piece of news - after Mike Jimson (another LVP) died in 2023, his wife Ann relocated to Ampthill in January to start a new chapter in her life close to her daughter. Unfortunately shortly after moving, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died on 29 August.