At the clubs 117th Annual General Meeting on Tuesday the 27th September 2022, long serving club member Peter Isle was awarded Life Membership of the cricket club. Peter was not aware he was going to be up for life membership, and it took a bit of planning with his sister Tricia both to keep it a secret as well as to get Peter to come along to the AGM.
Gareth Gibson read out the following which was compiled by Peter Burke and Tricia
Peter Ian Isle has been a loyal and faithful member of Burnside West Christchurch University Cricket Club for 35 years.
Every Saturday morning, without fail, during the summer season, Peter arrives with a smile on his face, ready and willing to help anyone who needs a hand. Be it ground staff, bar staff, members, players (including the opposition) and umpires.
Arriving early at 7am, he readily ticks off anyone who arrives later than himself, especially Peter Burke and Mike Fisher! Peter has many important duties. He is responsible for providing the milk, filling and boiling the urn for tea (and hopefully remembering to turn the water off), putting out the flags (20 paces), bringing them in and looking after the scoreboard as well as general duties around the Club. He has a keen interest and knowledge of cricket and often gives players advice and encouragement before and during the match. Peter is never reluctant to make a speech on his behalf or for others. Once the day’s duties have been completed it’s either bike or bus back to Hornby, occasionally stopping at Cutts Road for fish & chips. Peter’s hidden talents are not only confined to the cricket club but also appeared on the TV1 Good Sorts programme
Peter was introduced to sport at an early age by his father Noel, who used to take him to Kaiapoi to watch and help out at the Kaiapoi Bulldogs rugby league games. When the family moved to Burnside, Peter discovered Burnside Oval and there was no looking back! Apart from his cricket commitments in summer, Peter became a linesman for Hornby and Riccarton rugby league.
Through plenty of encouragement from his parents Noel & Dawn including his other three siblings Michael, Patricia and Susan along with neighbour, Tina Byfield, they always made sure Peter was able to carry out his duties at the club.
Peter worked at Carter Holt Harvey from 1969 to 2009 and won an award for 40 years service.
Over the years, Peter has been a valuable asset to Burnside West Christchurch University Cricket Club and we hope that his long term friendship with the club continues.
As you can see Peter is a truly worthy recipient to receive his Life Membership from the Burnside West Christchurch University Cricket Club.
Well done Bussy!!!