A new initiative from WCCC:
https://edgbaston.com/news/warwickshire-launch-first-multifaith-charter-through-new-edi-programme/

The Annual Report has been issued:
https://edgbaston.com/news/warwickshire-release-strong-financial-results-following-the-return-of-crowds-to-edgbaston/

I'm not sure that these events often discover future top level performers but it seems like a worthwhile initiative:
https://edgbaston.com/news/80-cricketers-attend-warwickshire-open-trials/

I just wanted to wish everyone on here a Merry Christmas and a happy cricketing New Year!

This is the message from the Club to members:
https://edgbaston-comms.com/1AFS-7NGP2-C639A8FDB42EF659R425FP20E44EB447EC9D5C/cr.aspx
As the message says, the proof will lie in actions rather than words but at least the Club is starting off by saying the right things.

Wayne Larkins is the speaker at the next Cricket Society meeting at Edgbaston:
https://edgbaston.com/news/wayne-larkins-to-speak-at-next-cricket-society-meeting/
I was at last week's meeting when the speaker was Geoff Miller. He was extremely entertaining.

In the context of everything that's going on in English cricket at the moment, this is great news:
https://edgbaston.com/news/warwickshire-cricket-board-honoured-at-chance-to-shine-awards/

It is not a good time to be a Yorkshire CCC supporter:
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/azeem-rafiq-yorkshire-julian-knight-sajid-javid-england-b1951278.html
I guess before we gloat too much at the plight of the Yorkies, we should at least register that two of the current Bears squad were at Yorkshire during the time when Azeem Rafiq was being racially abused. Hopefully, they will not be in any way incriminated by any further revelations that are bound to happen in the coming weeks.
Those running our Club will also be aware that, until the late season emergence of Manraj Johal, the first team squad was notably lacking in players from an ethnic minority background.

Ian Bell has been made an honorary MCC member:
https://www.lords.org/lords/news-stories/mcc-announces-new-honorary-life-members
Shiv Chanderpaul honoured too.

I'm not sure exactly what he will do or what he will bring to the party but I guess this seems like good news:
https://edgbaston.com/news/warwickshire-ccc-recruit-dan-ashworth-to-cricket-audit-committee-to-support-high-performance-development/

I see that the Club is offering partial refunds to Members:
https://edgbaston.com/news/partial-refunds-available-for-2021-members/
No doubt the Club is hoping that, like 2020 subs, most Members will not ask for money back.

Squad announced - Chris Woakes in, Dom Sibley out:
https://wisden.com/stories/ashes/england-name-17-strong-squad-for-mens-ashes-tour
As the only all-rounder, there is a lot of weight on Chris Woakes's shoulders.

Anyone planning to go to this?
https://edgbaston.com/news/warwickshire-announce-champions-dinner-on-4-november/

According to Will Rhodes, Danny Briggs is fit again. He developed a neck problem on the way up to Headingley - one of the more bizarre injuries in an injury-full season for the Bears.
Chris Woakes is available, though Will Rhodes says that the Club had to lean heavily on the ECB to let him play.

Although the Bears (other than Hugh and Carmen) weren't there, I think we should give credit to the Club for organising another fantastic Finals Day.
And maybe there is some consolation for the Bears in having been beaten in the Quarter Final by Kent, the eventual winners.
Congratulations to Sam Billings and his victorious team, especially to Jordan Cox for his match-winning innings plus two catches - the one that was disallowed and the one that he doesn't get credit for in the scorebook because he parried the ball back when he was seemingly hovering in the air behind the boundary.

George has announced on Twitter that he has resigned from ESPN Cricinfo.
He has been a great supporter of county cricket, often a thorn in the side of the ECB and, though he sometimes denies it, very much a Bear at heart.
I hope he soon finds a new home for his writing because county cricket needs him.

What does/did Irish playwright and novelist Samuel Beckett have in common with Warwickshire's greatest ever all-rounder, Frank Foster?

Good to see that he is not only in the England under-19 squad but has also been made joint captain:
https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/barbados-born-jacob-bethell-to-captain-england-under-19s-against-west-indies-1275685?ex_cid=OTC-RSS

I Zoomed into a press conference with Mark Robinson earlier in the week.
Here is the piece that I wrote for Deep Extra Cover covering some of the issues that he faces as a head coach:
https://deepextracover.com/2021/08/the-trials-and-tribulations-of-a-head-coach/

Sorry to hear of his passing. He was an outstanding player. And although he was much maligned when he was Chairman of Selectors, he was well ahead of his time in advocating ideas such as four day county cricket, full time contracts and England A team tours.
It's sometimes a shock to realise that the heroes of your youth have grown old. I was lucky enough to be invited to a book launch at the House of Lords a couple of years ago and spotted a stooped old man who looked slightly familiar. It took me quite a while to work out that it was Ted Dexter, looking quite frail and not at all the "Lord Ted" that I remembered.
Anyway, I have happy memories of him in his prime and may he rest in peace.