FORMER Farnham spin bowler, Alf Reeves, had the nicest surprise of his life last summer when he received a special award from Prince Andrew marking his service to Commonwealth cricket.
Alf is, in fact, president of the British Officers Cricket Club in Philadelphia, but the club certainly flies the flag for Commonwealth cricket, with tours undertaken all over the world and and an international cricket festival hosted every year.
Prince Andrew was attending a Jubilee Festival to celebrate the Commonwealth at the Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia and it was BOCC member Paul Barnard who arranged the surprise presentation.
The Waterford crystal vase was inscribed: 'Alfred Reeves - with gratitude and in recognition of your services to Commonwealth cricket in the United States of America. Presented by HRH Prince Andrew, Duke of York. September 22, 2002.'
Alf Reeves, the former managing director of Weyburn Engineering, was a first-team regular for Farnham in the 1960s and 70s, playing alongside, amongst others, the Banks brothers, Jim and Don, John Tanner, Mick Knowles, John Storey, Chic Stedman and Rusty Moorcroft.
"He could turn the ball square, both ways, and was one of the keenest cricketers I have ever known," said Rusty Moorcroft.
Alf played in Farnham's bicentenary year in 1982, but then business took him to Philadelphia, where he found that his new house backed on to the British Officers CC ground. He joined the club, then struggling, and with typical Yorkshire resolve, helped revive its fortunes.
The membership increased dramatically and touring sides travelled far and wide, including to Canada, Rhode Island and Chichester in England.
The annual international festival attracts sides from all over the Commonwealth and past winners include the Free Foresters from England.
Alf, now 78, only gave up playing at 74, but still plays a mean game of tennis.