Woking & Horsell Cricket Club -
Erika Bonneywell - Tributes page
It was suggested to me that all of the tributes paid to Erika on Facebook should go on to the website so that everyone has access to them. They come from all over the world and from players past and present. They nicely sum up what people felt about Erika:
“Really sad news, she was a wonderful scorer who and turned up in pretty much every weather to score for the Sunday 2’s up until only 3 seasons ago. What an innings though.”
“A fantastic supporter of the club, never shy to give advice and incredibly generous. RIP Erika.”
“What sad news for all who knew her. Erika was a wonderful member of the club. May she rest in peace.”
“Really sad news. RIP Erika.”
“Sad news. Wonderful supporter of W&H.”
“Very sad news. A wonderful character and supporter of the club for many years. Few of us will forget her harsh - and absolutely justified - words after yet another batting collapse.”
“Very sad indeed. Lovely lady and a great supporter of the club. A big loss.”
“Oh so sad to read this. She was such a character x”
“The club has lost a true legend and supporter of the club. I will miss her passionate disappointment of the teams’ (and often mine) lack of performance, as well as her dogs who were equally dazed and patient observers. Rest easy Erica.”
“I'm completely devastated to hear this news. She was always so very kind to me and looked after Dave when she was doing the scoring at his matches. She was as much "the club" as the members. Both Dave and I enjoyed speaking with her and hearing her stories. Dave loved her very much and always rang her once a week to make sure she was okay. What a huge loss to the club. So very sad. My thoughts, condolences and love to her family xxx”
“This is really sad news! She was an awesome woman, with loads of knowledge and love for the club! RIP Erika xx”
“Sad news! RIP”
“She was the sort of person that means amateur sport thrives. Always thought she secretly thought she could have done better than we all did. What a legend.”
“Sad, sad news. Never forget her first comment to me all those years ago at Albury!!!! Glad I managed to change her opinion.”
“Sorry loss - Geoff Surrey deaf cricket county.”
“Am really sorry to hear this. A great character.”
“A true loss in all senses. Erika was a lovely lady and a real asset to our club.”
“Very sad news indeed...was a very big supporter of mine as captain as well as the team. Did an amazing job as scorer for the club. Will be sorely missed. RIP Erika, thanks for everything.”
“Such sad news! A wonderful human being and always a welcome sight at the club. Sincere condolences to her family.”
“So sad. Wonderful characters like Erika help make a club great. Many fond memories of her warmth, wit, wisdom and coloured pens. RIP.”
“Really sad news. I have nothing but good memories of Erika and the world of cricket is a less interesting place with her gone. RIP.”
“Sad News, Shall miss her - An awesome women with loads of passion for sports and club, RIP Erika.”
“Very sad news, what a great character she was. Always felt she was as much a part of our team as the players. Real loss to the club and the world of cricket.”
“Folk like Erika are the character of clubs, and she certainly was part of ours. Thoughts with her family."
“RIP Erika.... wonderful soul will miss seeing her at club... thoughts with family & friends.”
“Very sad to hear this. RIP Erika.”
“Can’t believe it. So sorry to hear the news. One of the nicest people ever and it was always a pleasure chatting to her, a true club legend.”
“RIP - a wonderful lady.”
“Very sad news.”
“Very sad news, lovely lady . RIP Erika.”
“She was very much a part of our team. She gave us tremendous support for so many years. The stick she gave us after another poor performance still makes me smile. Rest in peace Erika. You deserve it having put up with us for thirty years. Thank you.”
“RIP Erika”
“RIP Erika - you were a treasure.”
“RIP Erika, a W&H legend.”
“RIP Erika. A true legend.”
Erika Bonneywell - a tribute by Peter Smith
I first met Erika when I was still at school and Woking & Horsell CC was not yet part of my life. I was on scorebook duties for one of the West Surrey Colts League representative teams and the opposition scorer was a lovely lady by the name of Erika Bonneywell. I don’t recall much about the match, not even the venue, but I do recall Erika and her coloured pens (never pencils!) and her immaculately completed scorebook. A year or two later I decided I actually wanted to play cricket and joined WHCC. A couple of years later, 1991 I think, a certain Erika appeared at WHCC, having previously scored at Ottershaw where her two sons played, taking on scorebook duties for the 1st XI. Within a season she was firmly established as part of the fabric of the club.
The likes of Richard Walsh, Damien Honey and Charlie Johnson will all be able to recount numerous stories of the chastisement they got when Saturday 1st XI results weren’t going well. However, what might be less well known is the £10 a match she paid the club every time the 1st XI won. It would be churlish of me to suggest we didn’t get rich on that scheme! Behind the scenes Erika was incredibly generous. She donated monies to the club on a regular basis, always keen to support what was very much her club.
Erika was very much part of the 1990s and 2000s when players played both days. She scored for the 1st XI on both days and it was on Sundays where I saw her every week. She was always incredibly quick to praise the lesser players in the side, of whom I was definitely one, and suggest that the more gifted players should be contributing more. She knew a lot more about the game than some realised. Always accompanied by her dogs, a flask of coffee, her coloured pens and her handbag, she was as much a feature of WHCC as any player over an extended period of time.
As age and deteriorating health caught up with her, Erika reduced her scoring duties to Sundays only. By her own admission she found it harder and harder to concentrate for the whole of a match and used to say to me something along the lines of “Peter, we need to find some youngsters to take on the scoring. Surely someone’s girlfriend or wife can do this?”. Enter a certain Karen Thompson, fiancée of Johnny Ayling. As Karen took on scoring for the Sunday 1st XI, Erika took on scoring duties for the late and much missed Dave Lane and his Sunday 2nd XI.
In 2009 Erika was made an Honorary Life Member of the club and presented with a painting courtesy of David Drury. It was the very least we could all do. When her beloved Bill passed away in 2010 Erika remained determined to carry on scoring. I recall several conversations with her around that time about how important her cricket was to her. The e-mail below, dated 26th September 2011, after I enquired how she was following a fall, sums her up for me, even the use of the emojis!
Yes, I am OK. As I said yesterday - no problem.
Actually no need to thank me. I am scoring for purely selfish reasons I like the members at W&H, love scoring.
Will come next season, but whether I will be capable of scoring remains to be seen. Otherwise I'll just come for the company!
If ever there was an e-mail that summed Erika up for me, that was it. There are lessons in that e-mail for so many of us.
Thank you Erika, it was a pleasure.
Erika's funeral will take place at Woking Crematorium on Friday 9 March at 11.45 am.
Erika Bonneywell
We are very sad to announce that Erika Bonneywell, W&HCC Life Member and scorer for numerous years, passed away at the weekend. Erika was a friend to many at W&H and she gave our club countless hours of service. We were very lucky to have her. She will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with her family and friends.
New Kit 2018 now available - order deadline 28 February
The season is just a few months away and you may have realised that you do not have sufficient kit for practice or for the forthcoming season, or more appropriately, it may not be in the club colours. This includes match and training kit, whether it is a club cap, trousers or jumper. Well, worry no more, we have all your requirements here!!!!
Details of the relevant kit and sizing chart are attached along with the club order form. Please simply complete the order form with your requirements and return back via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or give a printed copy to Phill at nets.
The deadline to get the kit before the season starts is Wednesday 28 February 2018. Payment should be made direct to Sport of Addlestone (not the club) by cards or electronically, details are highlighted on the order form.Let’s look the part on and off the pitch for the 2018 season!
W&HCC Quiz Night - Saturday, February 24 from 6:30 pm
It's time for the annual W&H Quiz Night! The event will take place on Saturday, February 24. The bar will be open from 6:30 with the Quiz starting at 7.30.
As many of you will know, Luke Barnes has taken on the role of Social Chairman so lets get down and support him as well as our new Bar Chairman (Stu Warner).
If you would like to enter a team then please do let Luke know by contacting him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on 07380 157771. Fish and chips will be available but these need to be ordered in advance so please let Luke know a week before if you would like to order.
As usual everybody is welcome, and we have had some great crowds for this event down the years, so get your teams together and kick the W&H social year off.
