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RIP Dudley
Steve Jinman24 Sep 2023 - 10:00
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Life member Dudley Jinman has passed away in New Zealand, aged 85.
Dudley joined the club in 1961, being appointed club secretary, a post he held for forty years. He was one of a group of volunteers determined to revive the club after it virtually folded under the financial pressure of rebuilding the pavilion. He would often reminisce that when he arrived at the Green there was no running water, let alone electricity.
An opening right hand bat and occasional wicket keeper, he was half of a formidable partnership at the top of the Pinkneys order alongside Len Timms. Thousands of runs came from his bat, especially through his favoured area behind point, but a century eluded him. He reached 97 with time to spare in the 1975 Village Cup Semi-final at Yattendon, only to see his three remaining batting partners dismissed by a hat trick. He finally made it into three figures in the early 80s against Woodley, and went onto score a personal best of 125 not out on a beautiful summers day at Boyne Hill towards the end of his career.
As well as secretary, Dudley also stepped in as fixture secretary occasionally and captained teams throughout his time at the club. His favourite duty was to look after the square, initially learning from Joby Rolls and then in turn passing his knowledge onto Paul Savage. The gradual improvement of the pitch was something in which he took great pride.
In the wider world of cricket he was instrumental in introducing league cricket for the local village clubs, leading the creation of the East Berkshire League, then serving on the committee of the Berkshire League. He also served on the local Julian Cup committee.
During the 1970s he was a ubiquitous member of the team that won three Area Village Cups, the East Berkshire League and the Julian Cup. In the 1980s he led the renovation of the pavilion which included the installation of the club's first bar. He was part of the Old Paludians Diamond Jubilee Bowl winning teams at the end of the decade.
In the early 1990s he led the league 2nd XI to successive promotions and then hit the national headlines in 1995 when he discovered the club's artificial pitch had been stolen. As he wound down his playing career, he became the 1st XI umpire.
At the end of the 2001 season he decided to call time on his official roles at the club, retiring to Bournemouth the following year and later emigrating to New Zealand to be with his grandchildren.
A paragon of the spirit of cricket, his overriding aim was always to encourage people to enjoy the sport, and act in the best interests of Pinkneys Green CC. Thus he leaves a legacy which will live on in the countless players he influenced.
Everyone at PGCC sends their sincere condolences to Dudley's wife Ann and family. His funeral will be available on a livestream for anyone to join.
An opening right hand bat and occasional wicket keeper, he was half of a formidable partnership at the top of the Pinkneys order alongside Len Timms. Thousands of runs came from his bat, especially through his favoured area behind point, but a century eluded him. He reached 97 with time to spare in the 1975 Village Cup Semi-final at Yattendon, only to see his three remaining batting partners dismissed by a hat trick. He finally made it into three figures in the early 80s against Woodley, and went onto score a personal best of 125 not out on a beautiful summers day at Boyne Hill towards the end of his career.
As well as secretary, Dudley also stepped in as fixture secretary occasionally and captained teams throughout his time at the club. His favourite duty was to look after the square, initially learning from Joby Rolls and then in turn passing his knowledge onto Paul Savage. The gradual improvement of the pitch was something in which he took great pride.
In the wider world of cricket he was instrumental in introducing league cricket for the local village clubs, leading the creation of the East Berkshire League, then serving on the committee of the Berkshire League. He also served on the local Julian Cup committee.
During the 1970s he was a ubiquitous member of the team that won three Area Village Cups, the East Berkshire League and the Julian Cup. In the 1980s he led the renovation of the pavilion which included the installation of the club's first bar. He was part of the Old Paludians Diamond Jubilee Bowl winning teams at the end of the decade.
In the early 1990s he led the league 2nd XI to successive promotions and then hit the national headlines in 1995 when he discovered the club's artificial pitch had been stolen. As he wound down his playing career, he became the 1st XI umpire.
At the end of the 2001 season he decided to call time on his official roles at the club, retiring to Bournemouth the following year and later emigrating to New Zealand to be with his grandchildren.
A paragon of the spirit of cricket, his overriding aim was always to encourage people to enjoy the sport, and act in the best interests of Pinkneys Green CC. Thus he leaves a legacy which will live on in the countless players he influenced.
Everyone at PGCC sends their sincere condolences to Dudley's wife Ann and family. His funeral will be available on a livestream for anyone to join.
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