ON THE BALL: Phil Moody
The Hospice Cricket cups reach their finales this Sunday (August 13) with the two finals and a fun day at Northchurch Cricket ground.
The competitors in the competition, organised by the hospice of St Francis, have been whittled down leaving just GE Healthcare to take on Rothamsted Research in the corporate trophy final and Northchurch v Hawridge and Cholesbury in the village cup.
But the finals day will offer much more than just the sound of leather on willow.
Organiser and hospice fundraiser Phil Moody said: "There should be so much going on that even if you don't like cricket you can have a great day without having to see a ball bowled."
Alongside the two finals will be two bouncy castles, nine-hole crazy golf, giant jenga, a Pimms tent, all day barbecue and craft stalls.
There will also be a butler service to 48 special boundary-side chairs so people can enjoy the cricket matches in style.
Phil said: "We hope we have got pretty much everything covered. We want it to be a real family do. There will be no charge for getting in there or parking, but we want people to spend when they are there, to help the Hospice of St Francis!"
Readers of the HeraldExpress and The Gazette have now helped raise £326,980 towards the £2.5 million required to pay for the new purpose built facilities at Shootersway in Berkhamsted.
As for the cricket, Phil said the inaugural Hospice Cricket Cup competition had been a great success.
He said: "It's gone really well. It's been great and we've raised more than £1,200 from the matches. The clubs involved have really thrown themselves into it raising money through raffles and things.
"There's been a great spirit about the matches and there's also been a real commitment from the teams to making money for the hospice which is great."
The two finals, sponsored by Oakleys Estate agents and Berkhamsted Toiletries, are poised to offer exciting matches.
Phil said: "The village cup final is well set up so that should be a good one and I think the corporate cup is a very close call. I'm expecting them both to be quite exciting. Hopefully we can get a bumper turnout."
Gates open at the club at 11.30am with the corporate final beginning at 12.30pm and the village cup final at 4pm. Trophies will be presented by Mayor of Dacorum Catherine Appleby and chairman of hospice trustees Jo Connell.
A book for Jean
Above, John Davis and below, his late wife Jean
An Aldbury man, who has published a book written by his wife before she died, has pledged to give cash from sales to the Hospice of St Francis.
John Davis, of Stocks Road, found a manuscript written by his wife Jean after she passed away 15 months ago.
He said: "My wife wrote this many years ago in 1983. When she died I went through all her papers and found the manuscript and I thought it was a pity it hadn't been used."
Jean Davis was well known in Aldbury for her books on local history, including Aldbury People 1885-1945 which sold out.
She also helped many villagers trace their own family history and for 23 years was the Aldbury Parish archivist.
Mrs. Davis died aged 79 in December 2004 after a battle with cancer.
Her latest book The Family in the Attic takes the reader through her journey to trace her family history through items hoarded over the years and inherited from her mother.
Mr. Davis, 81, said: "I published this book in my wife's memory as a tribute to her.
"I have decided on private publication as a tribute to Jean's scholarship, her wide ranging literary and artistic talents and in ever loving memory of over half a century of friendship and marriage."
During her illness Mrs. Davis stayed at the Hospice of St Francis and spent the last days of her life there. All the money from the book sales will be donated to the charity.
Mr. Davis said: "They were very good, not only to my wife but to me and I grew very close to her doctor and other people there."
Copies of the book for £15 are available from Mr. Davis on 01442 851321. 
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