Tribute to Box member Jim
Box Cricket Club secretary Richard Gray has offered tribute to longserving member Jim Drury who passed away this month.
Written on the club’s website, Gray said: “The club has sadly lost one of its longest serving members. Jim Drury passed away in January at the age of 80 after a battle with cancer.
“Jim joined the club in 1974 when he moved to Box from the Midlands when he became the production director at Harbutt’s Plasticine in Bathampton. Jim and Barbara bought a house in Chapel Lane opposite the Queens Head, a pub where Jim was destined to spend many happy hours.
“Jim was born in Manchester. After his service with the merchant navy, Jim and Barbara married and settled in the Midlands where Jim worked for GEC and played cricket and rugby for Leamington.
“Jim was a left-arm leg-spinner who bowled enormous off breaks and he could turn the ball on any surface. Many a batsman was bowled leaving the ball alone because they thought it was going to be a wide. Jim was also a capable lower order batsman who was very quick between the wickets. There were many occasions where he took me to the point of exhaustion with his running twos and threes.
“I recall one game at Hanham where I was captain and instructed Jim to play for a draw when he went out to bat with eight wickets down. He proceeded to hit the next three balls for four to win the match. I also recall an indoor cricket match at Chippenham where Jim took five wickets in five balls turning the ball ‘square’ on a matting surface. All five were bowled.
“Jim spent most of his time at Box playing for the first XI but captained the seconds for a couple of seasons in the 1980s. He served on the committee and was instrumental in organising fundraising events, including darts tournaments and a bingo night. Jim was a club trustee for the last ten years of his life.
“After finishing with cricket Jim became a keen golfer and was a member at Kingsdown for 40 years.
“In the last five years Jim took up a personal project to restore the pavilion to a state suitable for cricket following the departure of the playgroup. With a lot of help from Barbara and April Martel the pavilion was redecorated and kitted out with new furniture and the outside tidied up and made to look pristine.
“Jim will be sorely missed. Rest in peace old friend.”