Dumplings go digital by staging annual meeting on-line
FLASBACK: A Devon Dumplings line-up from the 2007 season. This one lost to Exeter School by eight wickets. Back (left to right): Will Hanson, Marshall Hood, Robin Wass, Conrad Sutcliffe, Richard Nelsey, Jon Tipper, Dennis Elliott, Mike Wilcocks. Front: James Hope, Richard Stenning, Jeff Stanyer and Wendy Hardy
By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE
ONE of Devon’s most traditional cricket clubs is going hi-tech to conduct its latest annual meeting.
The Devon Dumplings, a wandering club with no home ground of its own, has been playing similar sides, touring teams, old boys’ elevens and schools since 1902.
As recently as 1984 the Dumplings’ fixture list contained two-day fixtures, which had gone out of fashion almost universally in club cricket by then.
Club ties and blazers in the Dumplings’ colours, which are three shades of green, are always in evidence at matches around the county. It’s those traditions the club wants to keep alive.
It is customary at this time of year for Dumplings members to gather in Exeter for the club’s annual meeting, followed by an agreeable dinner and the presentation of awards.
An awards dinner is out of the question due to Covid-19 restrictions, as is a traditional annual meeting. Thanks to communications technology like Zoom, Friday night’s annual meeting is going ahead on-line instead.
Wendy Hardy, the secretary of the Dumplings, said: “Sadly we had to cancel our dinner, but our annual meeting will go ahead as planned as a virtual one.
“We realise not all members have the facilities to enable them to join us on-line, but it does provide opportunities for those members no longer living in Devon to be part of our meeting.”
Hardy said although most of the club’s games were cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions, a shortened season was played and enjoyed.
“The Dumplings had some good games and came out on top in three of the five matches played,” said Hardy.
“We are grateful to those touring sides who still felt able to fulfil our arranged fixtures and also to all the players and officials for taking part.”
As a traditional club with roots in the immediate post-Victorian era, the Dumplings do not have a chairman chairing committee meetings but a president who presides.
Peter Jolliffe, about to start the second year of his second term as president, said: " I look forward to greeting as many members of Devon Dumplings CC as possible on Friday at 18.30 hrs. Zoom awaits!"
