Out for 89

August is the month of the annual Selsey festival, now in its 13th year.

Preceded by the Selsey Lifeboat week which culminates with the annual raft race at Selsey Bill and evening firework display, the festival is a showcase of the talent, skill and enthusiasm of the people of Selsey with a full programme of varied and diverse events for all ages, including cinema, stage, sports, music, arts and crafts, classic car show and finishing in traditional fashion with the carnival procession and grand firework display.

Two weeks ago I visited the Selsey Camera Club Annual Exhibition and amongst the many fine photographs on display was a dramatic series of shots of the Lifeboat week firework display held on the end of the lifeboat station.

Saturday was the day of the Manhood Classic Car Enthusiasts Summer Show and, as always, a fine selection of vehicles were on display including this replica Ferrari 166 Corsa Spyder with a Triumph Spitfire chassis and 1500 cc engine.

 

But for me the highlight of the festival is the Sir Patrick Moore exhibition, located within the Selsey Cricket Club Pavilion.

The exhibition recreates Sir Patricks study at his home "Farthings" and includes includes original memorabilia, books and pictures owned by Sir Patrick relating to his many years involvement as a keen, exuberant and valued member of Selsey Cricket Club.

The exhibition is open to the Public every day in August 10:00 am till 4:00 pm, admittance free. 

The Sir Patrick Moore Pavilion, 
The Recreation Ground, 
Paddock Lane, 
Selsey, 
West Sussex, 
PO20 9BB

Enquiries to: 
Mike Nicholls mdnicholls@mac.com

Also available is a publication “Out for 89”, a collection of memories and anecdotes of Sir Patricks life in Selsey.

The following excerpt describes Patricks arrival at Selsey in 1968: 

On 29th June 1968, at the wheel of his trusty Ark, Patrick Moore, age 45, and his mother Gertrude, 
arrived in Selsey, where they would live for the rest of their lives. 

Born in Pinner, Middlesex on 4th March 1923, Patrick spent his early childhood in Bognor Regis, then East Grinstead where he remained for thirty-six years. 

Following a short time in Northern Ireland where he established a new planetarium at Armagh Observatory, he set off on a house-hunting trip. He had always wanted to live in Selsey and to his delight, found Farthings a lovely old house in the heart of the village. Although thatched, old and in disrepair after being empty for some years, he fell in love with it and bought it. 

In his autobiography Patrick writes: “It was a colossal financial gamble because I had no reserves, but we decided to take the risk.” 

After the purchase his bank balance stood at half a crown! 

Extract from “Out for 89” 

One of the first things Patrick did after moving in to Farthings was to write a letter to Selsey Cricket Club asking to join and play.

Patrick described himself as:

"A poor catch, a poor throw, a poor stop, as slow as a house and never batting away from number 11 ".

However he was a keen leg break bowler and very proud of his kangaroo hop and cartwheel action which was once likened to that of a wallaby doing a barn dance.

In the days before the pavilion was built many committee meetings and AGM’s were held in the study of Farthings. Patrick served the cricket club for over 30 years first as a player and in his later years scorer, treasurer and Life Vice-President.

He was an intimidating figure to visiting teams when seated at the scorers table, monocle firmly in place, demanding to know the bowlers name.

He wholeheartedly encouraged the local youngsters to learn the game and get involved with club, financing many young members kit and even driving the Colts to Hove in the Ark for cricket training.

Internationally Renowned Astronomer, Author, Sky at Night Presenter, Accomplished Musician, Cat Lover and of course Intrepid Cricketer, the Exhibition seeks to be a reminder and tribute to the great man Sir Patrick Moore, much loved by the community of Selsey.

I’ll leave the final words on Sir Patrick Moore CBE FRS FRAS to his close friend Brian May:

"Patrick was the last of a lost generation, a true gentleman, the most generous in nature that I ever knew, and an inspiration to thousands in his personal life, and to millions through his 50 years of unique broadcasting. It's no exaggeration to say that Patrick, in his tireless and ebullient communication of the magic of astronomy, inspired every British astronomer, amateur and professional, for half a century. There will never be another Patrick Moore. But we were lucky enough to get one." 

Brian May, speaking shortly after Moore's death.

  

Hey Ho!