At a simple ceremony in the Woodbine Room at Cara Lodge, the Hand in Hand Group, writer Professor Clem Seecharran and Deryck Murray, former Wicket keeper of the West Indies Cricket Team, launched the Hand in Hand History of Cricket in Guyana, 1865 -1897 Volume 1: the Foundation which boast 482 pages of historical research on Guyanese and West Indian cricket. The specially invited audience included Government dignitaries and members of the local cricket fraternity and cricket enthusiasts and stakeholders alike.
The evening was well spent and most present were enlightened about the rich and glorious history of cricket which would have happened in a time before they were born. Professor Seecharran who was introduced by Director Dr. Ian Mac Donald, in his address to the members of the audience spoke of the help he received in compiling the book and how the idea for such a unique project was conceived. He spoke of the Guyana Cricket Club which was founded in 1858 and of the Parade Ground which was the venue for the inaugural First-Class match in Guyana played between Demerara and Barbados in 1865 which coincidentally was the year the Hand in Hand Insurance company was incorporated.
Addresses were also made by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnarine, a former cricket player, who lauded Hand in Hand as Guyana’s most sovereign insurance company and Professor Seecharran for leaving their footprints in the path of Guyana’s cricket history.
Mr. Deryck Murray in his presentation regaled the audience with tales of his days as a cricketer and remarked that he was happy to be a part of the book’s launching and stated that books such as Professor Seecharran’s gave great insight into the forgotten days of cricket and as such we should seek to pave a better way for the future of the sport.
Director Howard Cox served as Master of Ceremonies for the night while Human Resource Manager Mrs. Zaida Joaquin gave the vote of thanks.
At the event, a moment of silence was observed for the late Tony Cozier as his outstanding contributions to cricket were recognized.
The night ended with guests receiving an autographed copy of the cricket book, presentations to the National Archives of Guyana, University of Guyana, the National Trust and the National Library along with refreshments being served wile guest mingled with author.
For persons desirous of owning a copy of Hand in Hand History of Cricket in Guyana, 1865 -1897 Volume 1: the Foundation, it can be sourced at the company’s Head office, any of our fourteen (14) branches nationwide or at Austin’s Bookstore at a price of $6,000.
