HELP The Lords Taverners

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Attention Cricket Enthusiasts

The Lord's Taverners is a benevolent association whose mission, through subscriptions, sponsorship, fund-raising activities and donations is to give young people, particularly those with special needs, the opportunity to participate in sport and recreation.

Since the Lord's Taverners was established in 1949 by a group of cricket enthusiasts who gathered to watch cricket from the Tavern Bar at Lord's in London, the UK organization has become "Crickets Official Charity" and has given over £36m away to schools, sports clubs & special needs organisations.

The idea of a club for actors and members of allied professions who habitually watched cricket from The Tavern at Lord's Cricket Ground in London was conceived in 1949. This club became "The Lord's Taverners".

The Lord's Taverners Australia was formed in 1982. It is an autonomous organisation with branches in all States and Territories. We have about 2000 members from all walks of life with the media, the professions, the arts, entertainment and business communities being well represented. What we have in common is a love of cricket and a desire to raise money to support the game at all levels but especially with juniors and disadvantaged and/or handicapped children. To date we have raised in excess of $12m in cash and kind. "The 12th Man" is HRH the Duke of Edinburgh.

Below is the link to the website of the Victorian branch. (The SA Branch website is under construction). This provides a good overview of the activities of this organisation.

http://www.lordstaverners.asn.au/about/history.html

And here is the link to the UK (parent) organisation

http://www.lordstaverners.org/

I have been a member of the Taverners for a number of years now. The annual membership fee is (a whopping) $50. Here in Adelaide, the SA Executive has written to members expressing concern at a decline in membership numbers and seeking the support of current members to introduce new people to the Taverners so that they too may share their love of cricket with others and at the same time, provide support to help disadvantaged sports people.

The Taverners have 2-3 functions a year in SA. These are a Winter Roast, an AGM event and the traditional Sundowner on the eve of the Test Match each year. Each event is a small additional cost that is not part of your annual membership.

I've been to one AGM where Garry Sobers was the guest of honour. Each year I go to the Sundowner. The racconteur has always been Mike Coward - an amazing achiever himself. He usually interviews a few touring types. In past years these have included Michael Holding, Tony Cosier, Ian Healy and this year it is Ian Botham. The event costs $50 but this year my guest list has peaked and I have the maximum of seven guests attending with me, such is the interest from my mates that has progressively grown over the years! It is a great show from 5.30-8.00pm at Adelaide Oval and the $50 ticket includes beer, wine and softies and great finger food (including food like beer battered whiting, the best party pies ever and the usual satays and the like). The etertainment is always great and afterwards, a short trip is usually made to the Queens Head for further cricketing conversation and amber fluid consumption!

OK, so this is a blatant appeal for people to consider becoming a member. But this is a great organisation with low membership and event fees that does a lot to give the strugglers with potential a bit of a leg up (so to speak). Cricket afficionados will probably have heard of the Taverners (but may not know how to join) and the Taverners receive great support from the cricket playing fraternity around the world. Could you spare $50 to become a member? If you are interested or would like any further information, please PM me. The normal "nominator and seconder" process will be facillitated for you.

Cheers!