Fred Clark

I’d like to pay a tribute to a cricket mate of mine.
‘Twas with the greatest sadness that I heard he’d crossed the line.
He came along to Bletchley to show us northern grit,
To put some steel into our game and try to get us fit.
In every cricket battle he’d fight until the end
And I was glad in matches that he was my friend!
He bowled with pace and accuracy always on the spot.
He was quite affronted if a ball was not a dot!
Though he could hit the ball for six he sold his wicket dear
I’m sure that if he’d had to he would bat out for a year!
He had lots of big ideas to improve the club
And even if they went awry, he was not one to blub!
He’d just roll his sleeves up and have another go
His determination was always out on show!
He brought his wife and kids along as all of us can do
And of course they got involved to help old Bletchley through
James, of course, was playing while Vicki did the score
Lynda helped us out with teas and did a whole lot more.
I’m glad he’s free form all his pain so we should not be sad
He put his heart in all he did and was a well loved Dad.
My sympathy is with his kids and all the family
But he’ll play heavenly cricket for all the saints to see!

Rest in Peace Fred.

The Shipyard

The shipyard's standing empty. We've launched another boat.
We know that it has been well built and now it is afloat.
The Lord is with our projects so they cannot fail
And we can all be filled with joy and watch St Frideswide sail
Now we need to tidy up. To rest and to take stock.
That we'll build another ship is really not a shock.
We've got a great designer with a secret plan
Not ready yet to be revealed to any mortal man.
Some things we are sure about. The plan will be quite new
And we'll be given all the tools to see the project through.
In the meantime, in the shipyard, we will learn new skills
To cope with any changes that the designer wills.
The new ship must be able to sail a restless sea
With lots of new conditions. We don't know what they'll be.
But it is with excitement we face a changing scene
And we will be as fervent as we have ever been.