THERE’S something very English about local league cricket.

It's such a pleasant way of spending a quiet, sunny afternoon.

You can have a few beers, perhaps a picnic, a stroll and certainly a snooze.

Nothing much will have happened when you wake up.

I’ve tried to explain its fascination to American friends over the years but without success.

And they really can’t figure a match that might last five days and end in a draw.

In over 50 years I’ve been on most of the grounds in the Lancashire, Ribblesdale and Northern leagues and enjoyed many a bit of banter with the locals and, of course, a cup of tea and a cake; perhaps a plate of chips or a pie.

I’ve thrown away many a pound in a raffle for a bottle of something dark and menacing.

Just about wherever you go there’s always somebody’s old mum beavering away behind the scenes, boiling a kettle, buttering some scones or flogging some raffle tickets.

They’re the unsung heroes of the local cricket clubs and without their input and enthusiasm it wouldn’t be half as much fun.

Joan Parkinson was just such a stalwart at Darwen. It was always a delight to buy some raffle tickets off her; you never bothered to mention that she’d already “got” you up by the scoreboard.

And she was always ready to fill in behind the counter or help to clean up and tidy away.

Joan and her late husband Brian had been keen supporters since their young son Graeme began playing with the under-13s over 30 years ago.

And they did much more besides. They travelled the North West making many friends and were wonderful ambassadors, even when the team was getting hammered by the likes of Chorley, Lancaster and Blackpool.

Joan took the lead on the commercial side and pioneered match-day sponsorship which is very strong at Birch Hall.

She made a great team with former chairman, the late Peter Lamster, and she and Brian both worked hard publicising the club.

I often wonder how many cricket fans who make the occasional visit to their local ground on a balmy summer afternoon have much concept of the work that goes on behind the scenes and on match days to keep the show on the road.

I knew Joan for many years; through the bad times and through the good times.

She and Brian were especially proud when, in 1987, Graeme led Darwen to their first Northern league title for more than 20 years.

In all that time I don’t think I ever saw Joan without a smile.

I used to tease her and her pals unmercifully, but she always gave as good as she got.

And she certainly gave plenty to Darwen Cricket Club. It’s sad that these days there aren’t many folk like her coming through the ranks and getting stuck in.

Joan Parkinson won’t be helping out this season at Birch Hall. She died a few weeks back at the age of just 73.

I’ll miss her.