The Lord’s Taverners is a thriving club, the official charity for recreational
cricketCricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
and the UK’s leading youth cricket and disability sports charity whose objective is to 'give young people, particularly those with special needs, a sporting chance'.
The Lord’s Taverners was founded in 1950 by a group of actors, led by
Martin BoddeyMartin Boddey was a British film and television actor.He was a founder member of the Lord's Taverners charity.-Selected filmography:* The Twenty Questions Murder Mystery * Cairo Road...
, who used to enjoy a pint watching cricket from the Tavern pub at
Lord's Cricket GroundLord's Cricket Ground is a cricket venue in St John's Wood, London. Named after its founder, Thomas Lord, it is owned by Marylebone Cricket Club and is the home of Middlesex County Cricket Club, the England and Wales Cricket Board , the European Cricket Council and, until August 2005, the...
.
In the early days, money raised each year was given to the
National Playing Fields AssociationThe National Playing Fields Association , from 2007 rebranded as Fields in Trust , was founded in 1925 and granted a Royal Charter in 1933...
on the recommendation of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Patron and 'Twelfth Man' of The Lord’s Taverners.
The charity presently donates nearly £3 million each year to help young people of all abilities and backgrounds participate in sporting activities by channelling funding into specific schemes:
Encouraging participation in youth cricket, particularly in disadvantaged areas
- Management and support of inner city and other youth cricket competitions and programmes
- Funding to re-establish cricket in state schools
- Grants towards non-turf pitches to increase the opportunities for young people to play
- Donating hundreds of cricket equipment bags to clubs and school teams across the UK
Supporting sporting and recreational activities for youngsters with special needs
- Donating specially adapted minibuses and sports wheelchairs, giving young people vital transportation and access to sport and recreation
- Creating new pathways for participation, development and competition in sport
- Providing grants for play, sports and sensory equipment
Fifty per cent of the funds awarded go to cricket projects - equipment and competitions for those young people playing the game at grass roots level in schools and clubs. The other half is awarded to special needs schools or organisations, supporting their work to encourage youngsters to participate in recreational activities and a wide range of disabled sports. The Lord’s Taverners supplies specially adapted minibuses at a rate of almost one every 10 days. It is also one of the leading funders of sports wheelchairs. It is a member of
Capital Kids' CricketCapital Kids' Cricket is an initiative and a charity based in London, to promote the playing of cricket in state schools in the capital of the United Kingdom.-Origins:...
, an initiative to promote the game in schools in
LondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
The Lord’s Taverners has raised and distributed over £30m to schools, clubs and special needs organisations in the UK in the last decade. The Lord’s Taverners benefits from the fundraising activities of The Lady Taverners, Young Lord’s Taverners, Regional Committees and its 5,000 Members, many of them drawn from the world of sport and entertainment. The list includes
Mike GattingMichael "Mike" William Gatting OBE is a former English cricketer, who played first-class cricket for Middlesex and for England from 1977 to 1995, captaining the national side in twenty-three Test matches between 1986 and 1988...
,
Alastair CookAlastair Nathan Cook, MBE is an English international cricket player. He is a left-handed opening batsman who plays county cricket for Essex and International cricket for England, where he is their ODI captain. Cook played for Essex's Academy and made his debut for the first XI in 2003...
,
Chris TarrantChristopher John "Chris" Tarrant, OBE is an English radio and television broadcaster, now best known for hosting the first version of the television game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? in the United Kingdom and later Ireland, as the two national versions of the show merged in 2002.Chris...
,
Andrew FlintoffAndrew "Freddie" Flintoff MBE is a former English cricketer who played for Lancashire County Cricket Club, England and the Indian Premier League team Chennai Super Kings. A tall fast bowler, batsman and slip fielder, Flintoff according to the ICC rankings was consistently rated amongst the top...
,
Bill TidyWilliam Edward "Bill" Tidy, MBE , is a British cartoonist, writer and television personality, known chiefly for his comic strips. Bill was awarded an MBE in 2000 for "Services to Journalism". He is noted for his charitable work, particularly for the Lord's Taverners, which he has supported for over...
, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson,
Rachael Heyhoe FlintRachael Heyhoe Flint, Baroness Heyhoe-Flint, OBE, DL is probably the best known female cricketer in England. She was a member of the English women's cricket team from 1960 to 1982. She was captain of England from 1966 to 1978, and was unbeaten in six Test series...
,
James HaskellJames Haskell is an English professional Rugby Union player who currently plays for the Top League team Ricoh Black Rams in Japan and internationally for England.-Career:...
and
Colin SalmonColin Salmon is a British actor best known for playing the character Charles Robinson in three James Bond films.-Personal life:...
.
The Lord's Taverners Past Presidents
- Sir John Mills
Sir John Mills CBE , born Lewis Ernest Watts Mills, was an English actor who made more than 120 films in a career spanning seven decades.-Life and career:...
(1950–1951)
- John Snagge
John Derrick Mordaunt Snagge OBE was a long-time British newsreader and commentator on BBC Radio.Born in Chelsea, London, he was educated at Winchester College and Pembroke College, Oxford, where he obtained a degree in law. He then joined the BBC, taking up the position of assistant director at...
(1952)
- Martin Boddey
Martin Boddey was a British film and television actor.He was a founder member of the Lord's Taverners charity.-Selected filmography:* The Twenty Questions Murder Mystery * Cairo Road...
(1953)
- Jack Hawkins
Colonel John Edward "Jack" Hawkins CBE was an English actor of the 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s.-Career:Hawkins was born at Lyndhurst Road, Wood Green, Middlesex, the son of master builder Thomas George Hawkins and his wife, Phoebe née Goodman. The youngest of four children in a close-knit family,...
(1954)
- Major A Huskisson (1955)
- Tommy Trinder
Thomas Edward Trinder CBE known as Tommy Trinder, was an English stage, screen and radio comedian of the pre and post war years whose catchphrase was 'You lucky people'.-Life:...
(1956)
- Stephen Mitchell
Stephen Mitchell is a poet, translator, scholar, and anthologist. He is married to author Byron Katie. They live in Ojai, California.-Early life:...
(1957)
- Sir John Barbirolli (1958)
- Sir Ian Jacob
Lieutenant-General Sir Edward Ian Claud Jacob GBE, CB, , known as Ian Jacob, was the Military Assistant Secretary to Winston Churchill's war cabinet and later a distinguished broadcasting executive, serving as the Director-General of the BBC from 1952 to 1960.-Early life:Jacob was born in 1899 in...
(1959)
- The Duke of Edinburgh (1960–1961)
- Sir Robert Menzies
Sir Robert Gordon Menzies, , Australian politician, was the 12th and longest-serving Prime Minister of Australia....
(1962)
- Richard Hearne
Richard Lewis Hearne, OBE was an English actor, comedian, producer and writer. He was famous for his stage and television character Mr Pastry.-Career:...
(1963)
- John Snagge
John Derrick Mordaunt Snagge OBE was a long-time British newsreader and commentator on BBC Radio.Born in Chelsea, London, he was educated at Winchester College and Pembroke College, Oxford, where he obtained a degree in law. He then joined the BBC, taking up the position of assistant director at...
(1964)
- Sir Edward Lewis
Sir Edward Roberts Lewis was an English businessman, best known for leading the Decca recording and technology group for five decades from 1929. He built the company up from nothing to one of the major record labels of the world.A financier by profession, Lewis was professionally engaged by the...
(1965)
- Ronnie Waldman
Ronald Hartley Waldman was a leading British television executive.He was born in London, the eldest son of Michael Waldman, OBE, JP and he was educated at Dame Alice Owen's School, Islington and Pembroke College, Oxford.He began as an actor and producer before joining the BBC Variety department...
(1966)
- Sir Harry Secombe
Sir Harry Donald Secombe CBE was a Welsh entertainer with a talent for comedy and a noted fine tenor singing voice. He is best known for playing Neddie Seagoon, the central character in the BBC radio comedy series The Goon Show...
(1967–1968)
- Lord Luke of Pavenham (1969)
- Brian Rix (1970)
- Martin Boddey
Martin Boddey was a British film and television actor.He was a founder member of the Lord's Taverners charity.-Selected filmography:* The Twenty Questions Murder Mystery * Cairo Road...
(1971)
- Victor Silvester
Victor Marlborough Silvester OBE was an English dancer, author, musician and dance band leader. He was a significant figure in the development of ballroom dance during the first half of the 20th century, and his records sold 75 million copies from the 1930s through to the 1980s.- Early life...
(1972)
- Jimmy Edwards
Jimmy Edwards DFC was an English comedic script writer and comedy actor on both radio and television, best known as Pa Glum in Take It From Here and as the headmaster 'Professor' James Edwards in Whack-O!-Biography:...
(1973)
- Alf Gover
Alfred Richard Gover MBE was an English Test cricketer. He was the mainstay of the Surrey bowling attack during the 1930s and played four Tests before and after the Second World War...
(1974)
- The Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
(1975–1976)
- Eric Morecambe
John Eric Bartholomew OBE , known by his stage name Eric Morecambe, was an English comedian who together with Ernie Wise formed the award-winning double act Morecambe and Wise. The partnership lasted from 1941 until Morecambe's death of a heart attack in 1984...
(1977–1978)
- Sir Jimmy Savile (1979)
- Sir Harry Secombe
Sir Harry Donald Secombe CBE was a Welsh entertainer with a talent for comedy and a noted fine tenor singing voice. He is best known for playing Neddie Seagoon, the central character in the BBC radio comedy series The Goon Show...
(1980–1981)
- Ronnie Corbett
Ronald Balfour "Ronnie" Corbett, OBE is a Scottish actor and comedian of Scottish and English parentage who had a long association with Ronnie Barker in the British television comedy series The Two Ronnies...
(1982)
- Sir Terry Wogan
Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE, DL , or also known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish radio and television broadcaster who holds dual Irish and British citizenship. Wogan has worked for the BBC in the United Kingdom for most of his career...
(1983–1984)
- Sir David Frost
Sir David Frost is a British broadcaster.David Frost may also refer to:*David Frost , South African golfer*David Frost , classical record producer*David Frost *Dave Frost, baseball pitcher...
(1985–1986)
- Ronnie Corbett
Ronald Balfour "Ronnie" Corbett, OBE is a Scottish actor and comedian of Scottish and English parentage who had a long association with Ronnie Barker in the British television comedy series The Two Ronnies...
(1987)
- Tim Rice
Sir Timothy Miles Bindon "Tim" Rice is an British lyricist and author.An Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, Tony Award and Grammy Award-winning lyricist, Rice is best known for his collaborations with Andrew Lloyd Webber, with whom he wrote Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus...
(1988–1990)
- Leslie Crowther
Leslie Crowther, CBE was an English comedian, actor and gameshow host.-Biography:Crowther was born in West Bridgford in Nottinghamshire. At the end of 1944 he moved to London with his parents, but was evacuated for a few months to Bute until just after the war ended.His father, Leslie Frederick...
(1991–1992)
- HRH The Prince Edward
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex KG GCVO is the third son and fourth child of Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh...
(1993–1994)
- Colin Cowdrey
Michael Colin Cowdrey, Baron Cowdrey of Tonbridge, CBE , better known as Colin Cowdrey, was the Captain of Oxford University, Kent County Cricket Club and the England cricket team in a career that lasted from 1950 to 1976...
(1995–1997)
- Nicholas Parsons
Nicholas Parsons OBE is a British actor and radio and television presenter.-Early life:...
(1998–1999)
- Tim Rice
Sir Timothy Miles Bindon "Tim" Rice is an British lyricist and author.An Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, Tony Award and Grammy Award-winning lyricist, Rice is best known for his collaborations with Andrew Lloyd Webber, with whom he wrote Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus...
(2000)
- Robert Powell
Robert Powell is an English television and film actor, probably most famous for his title role in Jesus of Nazareth and as the fictional secret agent Richard Hannay...
(2001–2002)
- Richard Stilgoe
Richard Henry Simpson Stilgoe OBE is a British songwriter, lyricist and musician. He is noted for clever wordplay as much as for his music....
(2003–2004)
- Mike Gatting
Michael "Mike" William Gatting OBE is a former English cricketer, who played first-class cricket for Middlesex and for England from 1977 to 1995, captaining the national side in twenty-three Test matches between 1986 and 1988...
(2005–2007)
- Bill Tidy
William Edward "Bill" Tidy, MBE , is a British cartoonist, writer and television personality, known chiefly for his comic strips. Bill was awarded an MBE in 2000 for "Services to Journalism". He is noted for his charitable work, particularly for the Lord's Taverners, which he has supported for over...
(2007–2009)
- Chris Tarrant
Christopher John "Chris" Tarrant, OBE is an English radio and television broadcaster, now best known for hosting the first version of the television game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? in the United Kingdom and later Ireland, as the two national versions of the show merged in 2002.Chris...
(2009–present)
In 2007 Sir Bobby Robson was to have succeeded
Mike GattingMichael "Mike" William Gatting OBE is a former English cricketer, who played first-class cricket for Middlesex and for England from 1977 to 1995, captaining the national side in twenty-three Test matches between 1986 and 1988...
as President, although was unable to do so due to his ill-health. The charity later praised Robson posthumously with a March 2010 formal dinner in aid of the
Sir Bobby Robson FoundationThe Sir Bobby Robson Foundation is a British cancer research charity which raises money to fund the early detection and treatment of cancer, and clinical trials of anti-cancer drugs...
, in honour of the "The best President we never had".
The Lord's Taverners Past Chairmen
- Martin Boddey
Martin Boddey was a British film and television actor.He was a founder member of the Lord's Taverners charity.-Selected filmography:* The Twenty Questions Murder Mystery * Cairo Road...
(1950–1952)
- Michael Shepley
Michael Shepley , was a British actor, appearing in films and some television between 1931 and 1961....
(1953)
- Stephen Mitchell
Stephen Mitchell is a poet, translator, scholar, and anthologist. He is married to author Byron Katie. They live in Ojai, California.-Early life:...
(1954)
- John Glyn-Jones
John Glyn-Jones was a British television and film actor.His father was a Member of Parliament and he was educated at Bishop's Stortford College and Oxford University. He began his acting career in repertory theatre in Oxford and with the BBC Drama Repertory Company...
(1955)
- John Snagge
John Derrick Mordaunt Snagge OBE was a long-time British newsreader and commentator on BBC Radio.Born in Chelsea, London, he was educated at Winchester College and Pembroke College, Oxford, where he obtained a degree in law. He then joined the BBC, taking up the position of assistant director at...
(1956)
- Jack Payne
Jack Payne was a British dance music bandleader.-Career:John Wesley Vivian Payne was born in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, the only son of a music warehouse manager...
(1958–1959)
- Ronnie Waldman
Ronald Hartley Waldman was a leading British television executive.He was born in London, the eldest son of Michael Waldman, OBE, JP and he was educated at Dame Alice Owen's School, Islington and Pembroke College, Oxford.He began as an actor and producer before joining the BBC Variety department...
(1959)
- John Snagge
John Derrick Mordaunt Snagge OBE was a long-time British newsreader and commentator on BBC Radio.Born in Chelsea, London, he was educated at Winchester College and Pembroke College, Oxford, where he obtained a degree in law. He then joined the BBC, taking up the position of assistant director at...
(1960–1961)
- Leslie Frewin (1962)
- Roy Rich (1963–1964)
- A C L Bennett (1965–1966)
- Ronnie Waldman
Ronald Hartley Waldman was a leading British television executive.He was born in London, the eldest son of Michael Waldman, OBE, JP and he was educated at Dame Alice Owen's School, Islington and Pembroke College, Oxford.He began as an actor and producer before joining the BBC Variety department...
(1967)
- Jack Rayfield (1968–1969)
- Ian Carmichael
Ian Gillett Carmichael, OBE was an English film, stage, television and radio actor.-Early life:Carmichael was born in Hull, in the East Riding of Yorkshire. The son of an optician, he was educated at Scarborough College and Bromsgrove School, before training as an actor at RADA...
(1970–1971)
- Mark Motho (1972–1973)
- Peter Palmer
John Palmer was a bandleader, tenor saxophonist and composer. He recorded several albums for Mercury Records including "A Swingin' Love Affair", "A Swingin' Dance Date", and "Moonlight on the Campus", with a small singing group which included Ann Trendler, whom he would later marry...
(1974–1975)
- John Josling (1976–1977)
- Chris Howland
John Christopher Howland is a British radio and TV presenterwho opened German radio programmes for English music. Hereby he has changed German radio broadcast which has been dominated by English music ever since....
(1978–1979)
- Neil Durden-Smith (1980–1981)
- David Evans (1982–1983)
- John Bromley
John Bromley may refer to:*John Bromley * John Bromley , British Labour Party Member of Parliament for Barrow-in-Furness 1924–1931* John Bromley Designer of Royal Doulton Figurines...
(1984–1985)
- Mervyn Grubb (1986–1987)
- Robin Moors (1988–1989)
- Derek Ufton
Derek Gilbert Ufton was a professional cricketer and footballer, and later a football manager for Plymouth Argyle....
(1990–1991)
- Brian Baldock (1992–1994)
- Ken Lawrence (1995–1996)
- John Bromley
John Bromley may refer to:*John Bromley * John Bromley , British Labour Party Member of Parliament for Barrow-in-Furness 1924–1931* John Bromley Designer of Royal Doulton Figurines...
(1997–1999)
- Roger Smith
Roger Smith may refer to:* Roger Smith , American television and film actor and screenwriter* Roger Smith , English soccer player* Roger Smith , Bahamian tour tennis player...
(2000–2001)
- John Ayling (2002–2003)
- Richard Groom (2004–2006)
- Jonathan Rice (2006–2008)
- John Hooper
John Hooper, Johan Hoper, was an English churchman, Anglican Bishop of Gloucester and Worcester. A Protestant Reformer, he was killed during the Marian Persecutions.-Biography:...
(2008–2010)
- John Ayling (2010–present)
The Young Lord's Taverners Past Presidents
- Will Carling
William David Charles Carling, OBE is a former Rugby union player for Harlequins, and a former captain of England from 1988 to 1996, winning 72 caps.-Early life:...
(1991–1996)
- Mark Ramprakash
Mark Ravin Ramprakash is an English cricketer, playing for Surrey and England. A right-handed batsman, he initially made his name playing for Middlesex, and was selected for England aged 21...
(1997–2003)
- Andrew Flintoff
Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff MBE is a former English cricketer who played for Lancashire County Cricket Club, England and the Indian Premier League team Chennai Super Kings. A tall fast bowler, batsman and slip fielder, Flintoff according to the ICC rankings was consistently rated amongst the top...
(2004–2008)
- Alistair Cook
Alastair Nathan Cook, MBE is an English international cricket player. He is a left-handed opening batsman who plays county cricket for Essex and International cricket for England, where he is their ODI captain. Cook played for Essex's Academy and made his debut for the first XI in 2003...
(2008–present)
The Young Lord's Taverners Past Chairmen
- Tim Howland (1988–1990)
- Roberta Moore (1991–1994)
- Martyn Smith
Martyn Smith is an award winning British television producer noted for creating the original UK series of the hit BBC series Dragons' Den based on the original Japanese format.-Dragon's den:...
(1995–1996)
- Johnathan Lambert (1997–1999)
- Patrick Smith
Patrick Smith is the name of:* Patrick Smith , also known as "Paddy Smith", an Irish politician who served in Dáil Éireann* Patrick Smith , Australian sports journalist who writes for The Australian...
and Jane White (2000)
- Patrick Smith
Patrick Smith is the name of:* Patrick Smith , also known as "Paddy Smith", an Irish politician who served in Dáil Éireann* Patrick Smith , Australian sports journalist who writes for The Australian...
(2001–2003)
- Robin James and Neil Hunt
Neil Hunt is a former professional rugby league player in the New South Wales Rugby League competition. He primarily played on the wing....
(2003–2006)
- Peter Mayo
Peter Mayo is Professor and Head of the Department of Education Studies, Faculty of Education, University of Malta, Malta. He teaches in the areas of sociology of education and adult continuing education, as well as in comparative and international education and sociology in general...
and Simon Cleobury (2006–2008)
- Huw Learner and Simon Cleobury (2008–2009)
- Simon Cleobury (2009–present)
The Lady Taverners
The Lady Taverners is the ladies' branch of the club. It was established to maintain the tradition of granting honorary membership to the sitting
Prime MinisterA prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
;
Margaret ThatcherMargaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
had been elected premier in 1979 and the Lady Taverners were duly formed, with Baroness Thatcher as its first honorary member.
The Lady Taverners Past Chairmen
- Anne Subba Row (1985–1986)
- Diana Thomas (1987–1988)
- Maria Moult (1989–1990)
- Wendy Caller (1991–1992)
- Laura Collins (1993–1994)
- Lesley Balls (1995–1996)
- Chrissie Colbeck (acting) (1997–1998)
- Jean Ratcliff (1998–2000)
- Judy Haggas (2000–2002)
- Dulcie Quinnell (2003–2004)
- Annie Peacock (2004–2005)
- Maggie Smith
Dame Margaret Natalie Smith, DBE , better known as Maggie Smith, is an English film, stage, and television actress who made her stage debut in 1952 and is still performing after 59 years...
(2006–2008)
- Denise Horne (2008–2010)
- Sally Surridge (2010–present)