Celebrating Brenda Lower's 80th birthday by Richard J Barrow

Brenda the ‘keeper of the balls’ and Sussex most iconic fan recently passed her eightieth birthday. The Club recognising Brenda’s near legendary dedication and service couldn’t let this pass unnoticed and invited Brenda to host a lunch party in her honour on Friday 10th February in the Board Room at The 1st Central County Ground. 

Brenda had free reign to invite her closest friends and this included Club President Johnny Barclay and former President and current Chairman of the Sussex Cricket Society, David Bowden. Brenda was showered with gifts and birthday presents and a wonderful birthday cake (supplied by Brenda Austen).

There will not be many regular Sussex supporters who don’t know or who would not recognise Brenda. Her end of aisle seat in the centre of the Pavilion has been hers for the best part of sixty-five years.

You can’t miss her; she is the one who is always laughing incredibly enthusiastic and positive and constantly surrounded by her many friends and admirers. Brenda steadfastly refuses to hear a bad thing about any of the players or Club.

She told me she first came to the County Ground with her father as a twelve year old in 1955 and was hooked from day one.

No one could have been happier in 2003 when Chris Adams lifted the Championship Trophy for the first time in Sussex’s history.

Brenda’s youthful enthusiasm and optimism remains as strong as ever. I have known Brenda man and boy for well over fifty years; she never seems to age, her effervescent excitement never dulls. She willingly and proudly admits Sussex Cricket is her life.

Her support for winter and off the field events is unbridled. She attends virtually every lunch, talk and celebration and never ever complains about cost.

Johnny Barclay presented on behalf of the Club a commemorative 2003 Championship winners County Cap to Brenda, which she tells me now has pride of place in her ‘Sussex Cricket Cabinet’ in her front room.

Brilliant! Well-deserved Brenda. Head down for your hundred.

You wouldn’t bet against her.

Richard J Barrow