Vic is pictured at Luckley House where a cherry blossom tree was planted by the residents to commemorate the Coronation
An Ashford resident who has been a stalwart of Boughton & Eastwell Cricket Club for more than 50 years was bowled over to receive an unexpected invitation to attend one of the King’s Garden Parties at Buckingham Palace.
Victor Lilley, aged 78, of Luckley House in Wye was nominated for an invitation by the Lord-Lieutenant’s office for Kent in recognition of his lifetime of service to cricket in Kent. In 2012 he received an Outstanding Services to Cricket Award from the Kent Cricket Board.
Vic, as he prefers to be known, was born in Boughton Aluph and first played for Boughton & Eastwell Cricket Club in 1969; a slow medium bowler he regularly took up to 50 wickets per season and was renowned as a square leg fielder.
He has assisted with the maintenance of the ground since 1995 and since he stopped playing in 2006, has continued to produce a first class wicket for at least 30 home fixtures each season – in addition to maintaining one of the loveliest village cricket greens in Kent. He was appointed a life member of the club in 2000.
In 2008 Vic moved into Luckley House in Wye, an independent living scheme run by Ashford Borough Council.
Vic attended a garden party on 3 May, after which he said: “I was totally surprised to receive the invitation, it was so unexpected. I had a fantastic day and it was such a thrill to visit Buckingham Palace.”