Chairman of Ventnor Cricket Club Receives New Year’s Honour

Chairman of Ventnor Cricket Club and a founder and trustee of Newclose County Cricket Ground John Hilsum has received a New Year’s Honour from the Queen.

John, who worked tirelessly with the late Brian Gardener to establish Newclose County Cricket Ground, has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his services to cricket and the community.

43 years ago, John moved to Wroxall on the Isle of Wight, from Leicestershire and wasted no time in becoming a member of Ventnor Cricket Club. It was not long before he became club captain, playing a key role in moving the club forward on the field and guiding Ventnor to their first trophy in many years, a Whitbread Cup final success in 1979.

Under his leadership, Ventnor dominated league and cup cricket on the Island in the 1980s and early 1990s. In 1992, John was behind a successful proposal to join the Hampshire League, a move which represented a major change of direction for the club and the start of a time of great progress on the field.

As a further result of John’s efforts, Ventnor Cricket Club achieved Southern Premier League status.

His passion and affection for Ventnor Cricket Club and Newclose County Cricket Ground is unrivalled. In addition to that, his exceptional work has benefitted the wider Isle of Wight cricket scene, particularly in relation to the development of young players.