COLWALL Cricket Club stalwart Mrs Barbara Berry has been awarded a Cricketer of the Year Administration Award by the Midlands Club Cricket Conference.

Mrs Berry has shown 50 years of unconditional commitment to promoting cricket at Colwall, a record that was recognised at the Club's recent annual dinner when Mrs Berry was presented with an engraved cut glass vase by England umpire and Hampshire player, John Holder.

Her connection with Colwall Cricket Club began when she married her husband George in 1951. His love of cricket was incredible and like many others Mrs B (as she is known) soon became involved in most aspects of the club.

Living adjacent to the ground was a great help and at the time her husband was playing first team cricket, he was also club captain in the 1960's and chairman in the 1970's.

In the early years Colwall only played on a Saturday but these days there are in excess of 150 home games a season on the two grounds.

Over the years Mrs Berry has played an integral part in supporting and organising major events at Colwall, such as the benefit matches of Henry and Martin Horton and Don Kenyon in the 70's, more recently the catering arrangements for all home games. She has also been involved in many major fund raising events.

In the early years all these events had to be done alongside being a mother to Adrian, Jon and Kim, who still play for the club, and a grandmother to Damien, Matthew and Philip, who also play. Colwall also run a girl's team in which Laura, her granddaughter, plays.

Club chairman, Alistair Smith, said: "Colwall Cricket Club congratulates Mrs Berry on getting this award and hope that she can build on this first 50 not out, for the benefit of cricket."

Mrs Berry is due to be presented with her award at the Conference annual dinner to be held at the National Motor Cycle Museum on March 1.