by HAYDN GILL

IT has enjoyed several successes. It has also endured the odd setback.

But make no mistake about it - Bushy Park is one of the most outstanding clubs in the Barbados Cricket League (BCL).

A long list of titles underlines why the St Philip club is one of the most feared teams in the League.

A collection of trophies stretching back to its early days when it was formed in 1971 documents the glowing accolades that is a source of pride to Bushy Park and the surrounding areas - Parish Land, Vineyard, Gaskin, Harrow Land and Padmore Village.

It will therefore come as a surprise that these powerhouses were unceremoniously dumped from the Garfield Sobers Super League last year after a problem-plagued season in which they could not field a team on occasions and finished at the bottom of the table.

True to form, they have bounced back this year with resilience and resolve. Relegation to the Everton Weekes Premier League has been short-lived after an emphatic capture of the division before the season has ended.

Two men who have been through the ups and downs of Bushy Park are long-standing public relations officer Sylvan Barrow and vice-captain Matthew Reece.

New members

Their desire, ultimately, is for the club to attract new members, further develop their infrastructure and move onto the ranks of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA).

"The club used to win a lot in the 1970s and 1980s. I was a youngster following Bushy Park and it was my goal to be a member of Bushy Park team. They used to win almost every year," said Reece.

In recent times, Bushy Park swept to the double - Super League and knockout - in 2002 and also won the Super League in 2004 and 2005 to maintain their high standards.

Last season, however, was an unexpected disappointment.

"We had a bit of a rough period last year. We did not finish our season because of some difficulties," Reece said.

"We were short of players. Work commitments made it pretty difficult for us to maintain a full team throughout. We lost a game by default at home. I wasn't pleased about that. I don't think you should lose by default playing at home."

With the challenges of last season now behind them, the hope is for further progress.

A switch to the BCA is still on the cards, but it is not an immediate goal. At a recent meeting, it was put on the table, but the club has opted not to pursue the matter for at least another two years.

"My intention was for us to move on to BCA cricket because I think the measure of any team . . . if you are supposed to be as good as you want to boast and you can move from one level to the next, it shows that you are going places," Reece said.

Reece has been a key man at Bushy Park for several years despite a couple of exits. In the late 1980s, he joined St Catherine for whom he played a few BCA Division 1 matches and later teamed up with Dover in the Intermediate.

Bushy Park, however, is home again and there is no doubt about his commitment in wanting to see the club advance.

Barrow, Bushy Park's public relations officer for the past 15 years, is upbeat at the club marking 38 years of existence which they celebrated with a week of activities last month that included a church service, a panel discussion on H1N1, a night match, games evening, movie night, and a fish fry and karaoke at the Bushy Park racetrack, who has from time to time opened up its doors to the club.

"It is a great effort to reach 38 years. We have come from far and we are continuing to travel," Barrow said.

"The social element means a lot to the club. Everyone is involved. We have it open up from everyone. We play cricket. We are looking at football, anything to help the club on the road. There is a very huge community involvement. Anyone in the area can come and join us."

Barrow sits on a committee that includes Fred Clarke (president), Angela Waithe (secretary), Lynette Shepherd (treasurer) and Gloria Barrow (assistant secretary/treasurer.

The club's captain is Othneil Sargeant, a former BCL Division 1 skipper, but its most well known son is probably Elon Jones, a fast bowler who later played Division 1 for St Catherine and Empire and represented Barbados.

Some of those who have worn Bushy Park colours include former Barbados youth team player Jeffrey Butcher and ex-Carlton Division 1 all-rounder Ian Brathwaite.

More tranquil

Located a stone's throw away from the Bushy Park racetrack, the Social and Cricket Club offers a more tranquil setting. Away from the pavilion are a few trees that give a relaxing atmosphere.

Those trees were donated by the National Conservation Commission and throughout the years the club has also received assistance from successive MPs for the area, Rudolph "Cappy" Greenidge and Michael Lashley.

Sponsors, including Bee Zee Bee, Simmons Electrical and Mike's Trading have also come on board but a lot of the buzz is driven by those in the surrounding areas.

"Bushy Park is like a family. It is a community thing. The families come out. On some weekends, we would do a cook-up. Sylvan's sisters do the food and we usually have a good time," Reece said.

"This is a community effort. What you see here is through our work. We're looking to do a lot more next year in terms of a drive to recruit a lot more members.

"When we have visitors, people are amazed at what they see. They say this is a nice looking place and a place to develop."