Product Description
As a proud chronicler of things that really matter in Norfolk it was inevitable that Keith Skipper’s thoughts should turn to ‘a balmy evening of reflection’ on the wonderful world of local cricket. The self-styled ‘Boy at Cowpat Corner’ (that hazardous territory lined with strange bumps, rabbit holes and cattle calling-cards) here provides a charming reverie based on a lifelong passion for the game nurtured through a long family association with a village club in the middle of the county. Beginning as a Saturday scorer “the pen has always been mightier than the sward in my case” and often a last-minute recruit when one of the regulars had to cry off through work on the farm, Keith writes about his ‘highly-extinguished’ playing career which after years of under-achieving out in the middle gave way, to his life as journalist, broadcaster and raconteur. Now, with a little help from countless old friends on and off the pitch, he recalls charismatic characters, memorable matches, delectable settings and amusing yarns collected over the golden seasons. Special matches and colourful characters pour out of the pavilion to declare this a perfectly-paced addition to the Skipper series.
About the Author
Keith Skipper has been writing and talking passionately about his native Norfolk for a living and for pleasure since leaving grammar school at Swaffham in 1962. He has published over 30 books, many of them celebrating Norfolk's unbridled delight in "dewin' diffrunt", and was founder chairman of Friends Of Norfolk Dialect (FOND), set up over a decade ago to promote and preserve a precious strand of local culture.
Keith led the Press Gang, a troupe of local entertainers, around theatres and - village halls for 25 years and remains constantly in demand as a speaker at all kinds of functions. He was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of the County in 2003 and awarded an MBE in the Queen's New Year Honours four years later.
These rewards underline deep pride in "a wonderful place on the Road to Nowhere where I want to grow old gratefully."
Keith lives in Cromer on the North Norfolk coast with wife Diane.They have two grown-up sons, Danny and Robin. Father gave up playing cricket when they were old enough to realise he was highly unlikely to improve.
