Selkirk Cricket Club

A unique gin has been created by Selkirk Distillers to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the town’s cricket club. The gin will be officially launched in Selkirk Cricket Club’s Philiphaugh clubrooms on Friday, April 17th.

This will be the second time Selkirk Distillers have been commissioned by the cricket club to produce a batch of their handcrafted gins.

“In 2022 we created a gin to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the club’s move to its Philiphaugh home,” said company co-founder and distiller Allan Walker.

“That gin proved very popular, so we’re delighted to have been asked to produce a completely new spirit to mark the 175th anniversary of the club’s founding in 1851.”

Selkirk Cricket Club’s 175th Anniversary Gin combines a variety of ingredients, including pineapple, papaya, mango and blueberries. Selkirk Distillers will donate £5 to the cricket club for each bottle purchased in the company’s shop.

“It has a really refreshing quality,” commented Club president John Smail, “and is definitely something to drink while watching cricket on a hot summer’s day!”

“We’re extremely grateful to Selkirk Distillers for so generously agreeing to donate £5 to the club for each bottle sold in their shop. Creating the gin is a great way to celebrate such an important milestone in our club’s history.”

The new gin’s label features a photograph of three Selkirk players who each scored centuries for the club in the 1908 season – brothers Willie and Walter Greive, and club professional Jack Palmer.

The talented young brothers, both of whom were Scotland internationalists, tragically lost their lives in the Great War – two of the 12 Selkirk cricketers and club members to pay the supreme sacrifice.

The gin will be available to buy from Selkirk Distillers’ shop in the town’s Market Place and from the cricket club itself. Selkirk Distillers is also taking pre-orders on-line, just follow this link – https://www.selkirkdistillers.com

The Senior Fixtures 2026 List is now available, via the ‘Season 2026’ top menu item.

Selkirk Cricket Club’s 175th anniversary year has got off to the best possible start thanks to the generous backing of the town’s Cameron’s Bakery.

Proprietor Stuart Young has kindly agreed to sponsor a set of new playing strips for the 2026 season, with his company’s logo proudly emblazoned on the front.

“Supporting local organisations like the cricket club matters a great deal.” said Stuart. “Selkirk has been built on people backing the clubs and groups that keep the town going. If local businesses don’t support them, they can struggle, so it’s great to be doing our bit.”

“Existing for 175 years is a massive achievement for any club, so it feels good to be involved in a year that means so much to everyone connected with the cricket club.”

Stuart has known many of the current Selkirk players since his younger days, so there is a real connection there. “Supporting the club isn’t just about business,” he added, “it’s backing the lads I’ve grown up with, as well as the next generation coming through.”

Selkirk’s captain, Daniel Heard, said the support of Cameron’s Bakery has given all the players a big lift. “Stuart is well known by a lot of our squad, and last season helped out by sponsoring teas at our President’s v. Captain’s fixture.”

“We’ll be doing everything we can in the new season to justify Stuart’s faith in the Club and in the Selkirk team.”

Cameron’s Bakery itself will shortly be celebrating its 80th anniversary, and Stuart has special plans to mark the milestone as a way of thanking all the customers who have supported the business down the years.

Story and photo by John Smail.

A challenging but exciting year lies ahead for Selkirk Cricket Club, members were told at Friday night’s Annual General Meeting, held in the Philiphaugh clubrooms.

The Selkirk club celebrates its 175th anniversary this year – it is Scotland’s 10th oldest continually existing cricket club – and president John Smail believes there is every reason for renewed optimism about future prospects.

“The club wouldn’t be able to look ahead with such confidence,” he added, “were it not for the hard work put in by a core of dedicated club volunteers, and also the backing it receives year after year from its loyal band of sponsors and supporters.”

He paid tribute to three members stepping aside from their roles at the club after years of service – former Chairman & Secretary Neil Gentleman, ex-President & Treasurer Roger Arnold, and former Square and Wicket Convener Ronnie Dumma.

Neil and Ronnie having already received presentations to mark their retiral, at Friday’s meeting Roger Arnold was presented with an engraved bottle of single malt whisky in recognition of all his work.

In his financial report, Mr Arnold revealed the club had recorded a small deficit for the second successive year. He urged members to make use of the club’s excellent newly-refurbished facilities. “It is vital we increase bar revenue, so hosting more social functions is an absolute must,” he said.

In his cricket report, Neil Gentleman said the highlight of the season was the victory over Peebles County in the Border T20 Cup final, while the team also performed strongly in their East League Division 3 campaign, finishing fourth in the table.

At the AGM Daniel Heard was re-elected as Selkirk’s Captain, with Greg Fenton and Rory Banks re-appointed as joint Vice-captains.

Membership secretary Andrew Dickson’s report highlighted a significant increase in membership payments compared to 2024’s total. It was agreed subscriptions should remain unchanged – playing members £40, ordinary members £20 (concessions/unwaged £10), and family membership £30.

Office-bearers were elected as follows – President & Secretary, John Smail; Treasurer, Alison Scott; Fixtures Secretary, Rory Banks.

Membership Secretary, Andrew Dickson; Bar Convener, Ann Fernie; Property Convener, Andrew Dickson; Field Convener, Michael Jaffray.

Captain 1st XI, Daniel Heard; Vice-captains, Greg Fenton & Rory Banks; Team Manager, Kenny Paterson; Junior Coaches, Cara Paterson & Liam Skeldon; Child Protection Officer, Colin Anderson.

Committee – Office-bearers plus Gary Haldane, Joyce Wright, Trish Banks, Adrian Kentleton, Pamela Douglas.

Message from our Cricket Development Officer Reece McNay

“I am absolutely delighted to finally announce that The Borders will have its own MCC Foundation Hub for 2026 at Earlston High School commencing at the end of this month. When I first started and spoke to you all back in May, a big item on the agenda was to bring back a development side for the region and this is a massive step in that direction.

The most significant change ahead of this year’s hubs is a UK-wide realignment of age groups, with Boys Hubs now bracketed at U13 and U15 and Girls Hubs at U17. Which means The Borders will have two hubs which includes an U13 and U15 boys group and an U17 girls group.

Eligibility Criteria:
  Boys aged 11-15
  Girls aged 11-17
  Not attending fee-paying schools
  Not in Scotland Squads
  Players who are currently or have been part of regional squads can register

How to Register:
  For more details, and to register, use this link: MCCF Borders Hub Sign Up

Registration:
  Please note: Due to the demand for places exceeding the available places, registration does not guarantee a place in a hub. For hubs whose interest exceeds their capacity, players will be invited to a trial prior to the hubs commencing in January 2026.

Dates, Timings and Venue:
  U17 Girls Hub: Fridays, 6pm – 7.30pm, 30th January, 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th February, 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th March
  U13/15 Boys Hub: Fridays, 7.30pm – 9pm, 30th January, 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th February, 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th March.
  These will all take place at Earlston High School, East End, Earlston, TD4 6JP

Edinburgh Hub Trials:
  I know for some clubs their juniors may have trials for the Edinburgh MCC Foundation Hub, and they should still do so. If they are to get a place can choose which hub they attend whether it be Edinburgh or Borders.”