The first annual dinner of the Neyland cricket club was held on the 29th November 1889, at the South Wales Hotel
at Little Milford, with a large and enthusiastic gathering enjoying the first social function held under the
auspices of the newly formed club. The club's first president, Mr J.H.Coram, J.P., C.C., chaired proceedings at
the dinner and at the 'Smoker' which followed immediately afterwards - and apparently acquitted himself admirably!
Following an excellent dinner, the group discussed the toasts to be made and the first ever toast from Neyland Cricket
Club was appropriately given by the evening's chairman for "The Queen and Royal Family", which was drunk with enthusiasm
before the entire company sang the National Anthem.
The chairman then toasted "Neyland Cricket Club" and comented that he was delighted that the club already had 43 members
and was bound to succeed with such excellent people at the helm. Mr J.C.Smith responded for the club and agreed that with
people of vision like Captain Sharp, Mr Christison, Mr Gamble, Dr Edmundston and Dr Cook in charge, the club was in safe
hands. He told the gathering it was hoped to form a second eleven as soon as posible to cater for the growing number of
people in the town who wanted to play cricket.
The club treasurer, Mr G.Liddall, also responded and was loudly applauded when he announced that Neyland Cricket Club was
already £3-10-7p in credit. He was quick to praise the generosity of Mr Coram, who had donated a £5 note as soon as he
heard that the club had started - a fine gesture which ensured that the club would survive it's first season!
Captain Sharp then proposed a toast to the Captain, Mr Christison, and his Vice-Captain, Mr Gamble, which was concluded
with 'musical honours', and then Mr W.E.Drake proposed a toast to the President, who admitted that any work he did for
the club was simply 'a labour of love'!
Mr T.E.Williams toasted "The Visitors", Mr A.Harries gave the toast of "Our hostess" and even "The press" was toasted
before the company settled to the smoking concertwhich went on until well after midnight!
Perhaps the large number of toasts contributed in some small part to the plethora of songs sung by individuals, which
included "I Love Yer In The Same Old Way" by T.E.Williams, "True Till Death" from Mr Trindler, "A Son Of Mars" by
Mr T.Rowland, "Neath The Shadow Of Old St.Paul" from Mr J.Morris, "Four 'Oss Shar-A-Bang" by Mr John Griffiths, "Touching
'Em Up A Bit" by Mr Haines and a dozen other ditties loudly rendered to a cheering crowd - it was an auspicious first
dinner for the Neyland Cricket Club.