It is with great sadness that we inform our members of the death of William (Bill) S. Blackshaw.  He died peacefully at home in Rottingdean on Friday 27 May.

Bill Blackshaw was a Vice-President and one of our longest serving members (elected in 1949).  He wrote the book "100 Not Out - Chronicles of the Cryptics Cricket Club" for the Centenary in 2010, which the BBC Test Match Special team found time to mention during the 2010 Lord's Test against Pakistan.

Bill was indoctrinated into the Cryptics from a young age.  His father, Charles, was an early member of the Club, who ran and hosted the Southern Tour for a number of years whilst Headmaster of Cranleigh Junior School.  He attended at Bilton Grange prep-school, where he was taught by the Club's founder member, J.G. Fawcus, and he went on to Sherborne School.  It was in 1946 that he made his Club debut, aged 14, as 12th man in 12 a-side match against Uppingham Rovers, and three years later became a member.

Bill was passionate about cricket and was a high class opening batsman.  He played for the Oxford University Authentics, and went on to represent the Royal Navy during his National Service.  He taught modern languages at Repton School (1955-71), and was also Master in Charge of cricket.  He then became the Headmaster at Brighton College (1971-87) where he continued to actively encourage and support the game.

As well as writing the book on a hundred years of the Cryptics, Bill wrote a French text book and a history of Bilton Grange School, but it was as a very fine watercolourist that he gained further repute.  An honorary member of the Royal Watercolour Society, he regularly exhibited his works, which included scenes from a number of well-known public schools.

Our deepest sympathy to Elizabeth, his wife, James and Ellie.

The Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday 21st June at 12noon, at St Bartholomew's Church, Brighton.

Anyone wishing to send a donation in memory of Bill should make a donation to the family's chosen charity Médecins Sans Frontières.