As you may have heard, as part of the club's 150th anniversary celebrations this summer, a North Middlesex CC peloton is cycling to Paris in late April.

It's also 150 years since Paris' Palais Garnier first opened, so we'll be meeting at the Midd before embarking on a three day cycle from our palace to another.

On the way, we'll be making an important stop at the Serre Road cemetery near Arras in northern France, where casualties from the Battle of the Somme are buried.

Among them is Charles John "Jack" Baylis, a North Middlesex member and player who lived in Albany Road, Crouch End until he signed up to fight in the war in 1916. He was killed at the Somme on September 10, aged 24, an unmarried only child. As such, it’s likely many decades since anyone has visited him. We'll be marking his grave with a baggy North Midd cap, in his memory and also for the other NMCC members of that period who were lost to the war.

You can read more about Jack in this transcribed letter from his mum to her brother here: https://tracyloveshistory.wordpress.com/2012/03/09/the-letter-that-makes-me-cry-or-jack-baylis-goes-to-war-and-never-comes-home/

Overall, we're looking at a 291-mile trip from 185a Park Road, N8 8JJ London, England, to Pl. de l'Opéra, 75009 Paris, France. April 24 - 27.

Wish us luck and, if you would like to, we'd love it if you sponsored us. We're looking to raise £5,000 to put towards various important purchases for the club in its 150th summer, particularly around the celebratory Cricket Week and the anniversary party on July 6.

And remember:

- The money will go towards improving facilities for spectators, not just players

- ⁠We’re covering more distance in less time than Jamie Laing

Thank you! Lots of love,

Crackers, Tees, Brando, Smithy, Zulf, Hilly, Sherry, CYS (Head of Operations), Henners (Head of Social) xx