January 25, 2023, 5:15 pm
Filed under: Uncategorized
I’m sorry to inform you of the unexpected death of Robin – I believe in recent days. He was not a central figure in Hampshire Cricket except as the grandson of HS (Harry) Altham our former player and President and a key figure at the MCC. Robin was born in Winchester and in recent years was an active member of the Hambledon (Dining) Club, formed 25 years ago to celebrate the achievements of the great Hampshire/Hambledon side of the late 18th century.
In addition, two years ago he edited and published the Altham-Bradman Letters, a record of very interesting correspondence between two of the leading figures in World Cricket around 60 years ago.
From Alan (part two – he’s had a computer problem):
I was going to say that I would endorse Terry’s comments. I listened to Robin talking about his grandfather at Dorset CS in November. It was a very erudite address during which he mentioned he was working on a book on Harry Altham.
You’ll know that HSA has been mentioned in three books during the Covid era: The Bradman Letters, which you mention; the second volume of Alan Rayment’s autobiography in which Alan commented that Harry Altham leant a sympathetic ear about his mental health problems; and David Woodhouse’s excellent Who Only Cricket Know, in which it was evident that Altham gave his unstinting support to Len Hutton in the debate about the captaincy prior to the 54/55 tour of Australia. It seems he gave the casting vote in favour of Hutton. Robin’s book would have been well worth reading. Strange that Altham’s contribution to English cricket has only been fully appreciated some 60 years after he died.
PS There was a full three page article in The Economist over the Christmas period on the plans for the development of cricket in the USA. Frightened me. Well over $100m dollars being invested. Colin Price set out the main points well. The only issue he didn’t mention was that two of the main investors are the CEOs of Microsoft and Adobe, both Indian. Given the growth of franchise cricket all over the world this winter, I have real concerns now about the future of County Cricket. There have even concerns for the past 100+ years, but this feels rather different.
Hampshire Cricket History 
A really nice man. A gent, an interesting conversationalist, and a true cricket enthusiast. RIP Robin.
Comment by terrycrump January 25, 2023 @ 5:30 pmS
Comment by Alan Edwards January 26, 2023 @ 12:06 pm(I’ve contacted Alan to get him to correct this)
Comment by Dave Allen January 26, 2023 @ 12:38 pmFrom Alan (part two – he’s had a computer problem):
I was going to say that I would endorse Terry’s comments. I listened to Robin talking about his grandfather at Dorset CS in November. It was a very erudite address during which he mentioned he was working on a book on Harry Altham.
You’ll know that HSA has been mentioned in three books during the Covid era: The Bradman Letters, which you mention; the second volume of Alan Rayment’s autobiography in which Alan commented that Harry Altham leant a sympathetic ear about his mental health problems; and David Woodhouse’s excellent Who Only Cricket Know, in which it was evident that Altham gave his unstinting support to Len Hutton in the debate about the captaincy prior to the 54/55 tour of Australia. It seems he gave the casting vote in favour of Hutton. Robin’s book would have been well worth reading. Strange that Altham’s contribution to English cricket has only been fully appreciated some 60 years after he died.
Comment by Dave Allen January 26, 2023 @ 4:19 pmIn our conversation, Alan added:
PS There was a full three page article in The Economist over the Christmas period on the plans for the development of cricket in the USA. Frightened me. Well over $100m dollars being invested. Colin Price set out the main points well. The only issue he didn’t mention was that two of the main investors are the CEOs of Microsoft and Adobe, both Indian. Given the growth of franchise cricket all over the world this winter, I have real concerns now about the future of County Cricket. There have even concerns for the past 100+ years, but this feels rather different.
Comment by Dave Allen January 26, 2023 @ 4:24 pm