Congratulations to ACC member Robert John Emlyn Evans, recognised in the recent New Year’s honours list with the OBE for his political and public service.

Many members will be familiar with Robert as a regular opening bat and wicket-keeper for the club, who is always good company and ready to share his time with others with his recollections of club cricket, opinions on the game and its players. But when not playing cricket for ACC, Robert is a Labour politician and has for the past nine years been a councillor on Surrey County Council representing the ward of Stanwell & Stanwell Moor. Prior to this, Robert was the elected MEP for North West London in the European Parliament from 1994-2009.

Acting chairman, Kevin Antonio, commented: “Congratulations to Robert Evans our esteemed Club Secretary on the award of an OBE in the New Year Awards for services to the community. I’m sure the local Ashford and Stanwell community will be overjoyed that this award will bring with it a heightened focus on the local roads’ pothole problem and hopefully a timely remedy. Robert has been an active and important member of Ashford Cricket Club for many years. I have found him to be an honest person who believes in his principles and a true gentleman. A well-deserved award Robert”.

A teammate (both cricket and hockey) to Robert, as well as always holding aspirations to pen his biography, Steve Smith offered these brief insights on his friend:

First of all my congratulations to Robert on your OBE. I have known Robert (Bob) for around 50 years from the old colts days at Woodthorpe Road to the present club at Short Lane. Bob has just completed 50 years of continual playing cricket at Ashford and he has also done the same in the hockey club.

On the cricket side Bob has done extremely well with a limited shot selection – the master of the steer through gully and the snick through slips. Watching Robert keeping wicket is an education and very amusing because he does tend to wear the ball quite a lot. One thing you cannot fault is his effort and commitment.

I have played with, umpired and watched Bob through the years. I recall seeing him taking evasive action while batting at Sutton to avoid balls bowled with venom at his head – I didn't know he could arch his back like that. On another occasion he nearly started a fight at Ripley through some unorthodox but effective wicket-keeping. I have also seen Robert opening the bowling – hard to believe for those who have seen him turn his arm in the nets. He once cost me a hundred, but I'm not bitter.

Robert was also responsible for the first international tour arranging fixtures and accommodation in Belgium and Holland and he has done his fair share of committee work through the years, including as chairman during the club’s celebratory 150th year.

And just one story from his political past. I was travelling to work and grabbed a copy of The Metro to read and imagine to my surprise when I read the headline 'Now we know how MEPs spend their time' and saw the picture of an MEP asleep in his seat – yes it was Robert, who still maintains he was looking down at his notes!

I have had a lot of fun knowing Bob over the years and thank him for all his efforts for ACC.