A Memorial Service for Howard Marshall will be held on Saturday 28th October at St. Mary Magdalene Church, Barkway, Herts, SG8 8EJ at 3pm followed by a reception at The Woodman Public House, Nuthampstead, SG8 8NB – to have a final pint with our past President.
The family have requested that flowers not be sent however if anyone wishes to mark Howard’s passing, donations in his memory are gratefully accepted for Khandel Light which may be taken to the service or sent to Jeremy Rule Funeral Service, 12 Church Lane, Royston, Herts., SG8 9LG.
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Howard Marshall, 16th August 1935 to 22nd September 2017.
Cricket-wise, Cokenach CC was Howard Marshall’s first port of call when he re-located to North Hertfordshire from Harrow in the early 1970s. Mostly in those days, fixtures were “friendlies” although that is not to say that these were not competitive! The side batting first was expected to declare at teatime if they had not already been bowled-out. In one Cokenach versus Reed clash, Reed batted on after tea much to Howard’s annoyance who was then still playing for Cokenach. This blemish on the “Spirit of Cricket”, did not dissuade Howard from changing colours and he began playing for Reed soon afterwards where he thought there would be more opportunities to be involved as wicket-keeper / batsman. The cricketers changed in the Village Hall and drank afterwards in the Cabinet public house and the fixtures were mostly against local village clubs although the National Village Cup was already on the scene.
Howard who was 82 at the time of his death was soon part of Reed CC’s Committee where he was to remain until 2015. In the early 1970’s Neil Marsh, John Raven, Mike Taylor and Howard were the principal influences within the Club’s administration. A deal with North Herts District Council to purchase surplus land adjacent to the village Green was negotiated and funds were raised by members in a variety of ways. Howard was instrumental by successfully applying for grants from the National Playing Fields Association and the Lord’s Taverners.
It wasn’t long before plans were drawn up and building started in the winter of 1976 /7. Howard often related the story of fitting the roof tiles during a snowstorm – such was his devotion to the project. The pavilion, since extended twice, has enabled the Club to offer first class facilities to members, guests and opposition alike. Throughout, Howard contributed his skills including installing all the pipework and plumbing. Although others participated in various ways, Howard played a massive part and by all contemporary accounts he did most of the work himself. When the Club aspired to greater ambitions no other local cricket club could boast such luxuries as separate changing-rooms, a bar, a kitchen, toilets and showers. These are things we current players all take for granted now, but it was the foresight and vision of the then Committee that have provided the facilities that we all enjoy today. It is fair to say that Howard was the very fabric of this Cricket Club.
Howard was elected Club Captain in 1974 and led the team for four seasons. It was during this time that Reed began to field a Second XI and Howard would often skipper that team as the Club’s cricketing horizons expanded. He was a useful batsman capable of scoring a few solid runs and keeping wicket tidily. Howard led the cricket team in an honourable and fair manner and whilst winning was important, it was accompanied by a need for full team involvement. That outlook was evident during and since his playing days. He served two separate terms as Club President, 1981 to 1997 then from 2007 until 2012. He was modestly pleased to be honoured with Life Membership in 1998 in recognition to his devoted service. His supportive presence illustrated his interest in players’ progress and development and they will remember his gregarious nature and willingness to chat and socialise in the Club bar.
On the playing field, Reed has grown from a small village club into a top-ranked outfit growing to four sides playing in the Hertfordshire League with the 1st XI challenging for honours in the upper echelons of the Championship.
Howard’s proudest moment in his long association with Reed CC was their victory at Lord’s in the National Village Cup Final of 2012. At a ground that he knew so well, being an MCC Member, he was overjoyed with the run-chase that day. He thoroughly enjoyed the celebrations and post-match Gala Dinner hosted by MCC in the Long Room. Increasing ill-health during 2017 meant that Howard was unable to witness first-hand Reed’s progress in the competition but received frequent updates as the campaign played-out. Reed’s second success at Lord’s winning the Village Cup came only five days before his death. Howard was being kept abreast of events as they happened and was able to raise a celebratory glass once the match was over knowing that the Cup would be heading back to a place of prominence inside the Clubhouse that he had done so much to construct.
Prior to his death, Howard had been pleased to hear the news that the Club Committee had agreed to a proposal that the Clubhouse be named in his honour as the Howard Marshall Pavilion. A suitable naming ceremony will be arranged in due course.
PGB (compiled from various contemporary club files).
