A LIFETIME of playing cricket was celebrated in Lewdown on Friday night as Jethro?s played host to ?This Is Your Life? in honour of cricketing stalwart Gordon Littlejohns.
Mr Littlejohns, who started playing the sport at the age of 15, thought he was simply going out for a meal with a few friends ? but more than 150 people were there to witness his surprise.
Compere Ivor Masters produced the red book and detailed the life of Mr Littlejohns who was delighted to see many faces from the past, including his old school teacher Mr Hopkins and former boss and ex-builder Jack Eselby, who is now in his 90s.
Now 60, Mr Littlejohns was one of the founders of the Tamar Cavaliers Cricket Club, who have been going on tour each year since 1985, and he played for Whitchurch and Kelly cricket clubs before joining Lewdown, where he is still a member and captain of the Tamar League side.
The local sporting hero was presented with a Butlins Redcoat jacket with his name on the back in recognition of the Tamar Cavaliers? tour to Butlins in Minehead, plus various other gifts, including a cup to present to the shining star of the cricket tour each year.
Mr Littlejohns, who lives in Launceston, said he did not have a clue that the event was being planned and it was a fantastic surprise.
?I walked in and everybody I knew was there,? he said. ?I often say I could write a book about all the things that have happened on the cricket tour and so there was plenty to talk about.?
The cricket fan began the Tamar Cavaliers with former mayor of Tavistock John Wright and John Tarrin of Calstock because of the demand in 1985 by local teams to go on tour.
Many local teams were amalgamated to form the new club and more than 150 people have taken part in the tour over the past 17 years.
Mr Littlejohns said his cricketing days were not yet over and as long as his legs held out he would continue playing.