Kew Cricket Club brought a close to the 2024 cricket season on Sunday by thanking and celebrating David Matten, a legendary figure of the club.
Matten has been involved with Kew for 70 years and has held almost every position at the club. His voluntary work for Kew is unparalleled and it was rightly recognised during the summer when he was awarded the British Empire Medal. The award was as part of the King’s Birthday celebrations. On The Gazette, the official public record, the reason for Matten being awarded his BEM were simple – Services to Kew Cricket Club, London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames.
To celebrate this wonderful achievement Kew CC were due to play an end of season fixture on their picturesque ground, which is situated on Kew Green.
Unfortunately, the weather prevented the possibility of play, but it did not stop 30-40 members gathering for a BBQ and the chance to congratulate and thank Matten. Among those who said a few words were Angus Fraser, the Managing Director of Middlesex in the Community. Fraser, on behalf of Middlesex Cricket, congratulated Matten on his award and thanked him for all he had done for cricket within the county.
Fraser said that the majority of people in cricket believe that the likes of Ben Stokes, Joe Root and James Anderson are the stars of cricket. Fraser insisted that it was people like Matten that were the true stars, it was volunteers like himself that make cricket the great game it is.
