Some recognition for Sam Hain:
https://edgbaston.com/news/bethell-and-hain-selected-for-england-lions/

Interesting article on Keith Barker:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/cricket/article-11590367/Keith-Barker-reflects-swapping-sports-devastating-bowler.html

Not sure that I'm too thrilled about Irani or Silverwood:
https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/countycricket/ronnie_irani_in_frame_fill_warwickshire_director_cricket_role.html

One up and two down for two years would achieve it, if that's how it must be.
As for removing counties, I guess that Leicestershire would be top of most people's list as most likely to go - and when did they ever produce anyone for England?
Oh, hang on, just remind me, which county developed that young lad Rehan Ahmed?

Ah, yes, the Adrian Shankar debacle! As someone said at the time, if you could cross him with Ravi Bopara, you might have a half decent cricketer and you'd have one heck of a sitar player.

Well, here's some good news:
https://edgbaston.com/news/woakes-shuns-ipl-for-county-championship-start/

A friend of a friend said that he met someone in a pub who has a cousin whose next door neighbour's dog once barked angrily when he saw someone who looked a bit like Robinson in the street, so that sounds pretty conclusive to me.

It looks like there are some reciprocal membership arrangements in place:
https://cricket.derbyshireccc.com/2022/12/2023-membership-reciprocal-arrangements-confirmed/

The Club currently turning over stones to discover the missing Director of Cricket:
'Warwickshire’s search for a Director of Cricket continues, with the Club committed to finding the right person to bring long-term success to Edgbaston, after the candidate offered the job unexpectedly turned it down for personal reasons.

Chief Executive Stuart Cain, said: “It’s incredibly frustrating, but after two months of conversation, the individual concerned decided not to accept the role.

"So we continue to speak to candidates who match the profile and will appoint as quickly as possible, but this appointment is for the long term and if it takes us a few months longer than we would have hoped then so be it.

“The delay won’t hinder plans for next season.

“Mark Robinson is a highly experienced Head Coach, supported by long standing Bears, Ian Westwood, and Tony Frost, as well as the new bowling coach, Stuart Barnes. They have put together a plan to address the issues we faced last year and make sure we challenge for honours across red and white ball cricket next season which the players support.

"They’re ready to hit the indoor nets hard in January, with the new signings already bringing a fresh edge to things.

“There is then the wider team who are also cracking on with their jobs. Gary Barwell is one of the best Groundsmen in the game, Paul Greetham runs an excellent talent pathway, Gerhard Mostert is one of the county circuit’s best Heads of Medicine and Keith Cook is running things behind the scenes in the same way as he has done for more than 20 years.

“We know that the team is in good hands and shaping up well for the season ahead. We will keep Members updated on developments regarding the Director of Cricket.”'

So who was it that turned the job down? And what happened to the other two who were supposedly on the short-list?

Yes, the Rea Bank Stand, long before it became the Hollies.

You're just not old enough, Exiled Bear! When I was a little boy, catching the number 1 or 1A bus from the College Arms to the match, I would say "County Ground" to the conductor, hand over my penny fare and off we would go!

Gary Barwell and Keith Cook are speakers at the next Cricket Society meeting at Edgbaston in January:
https://www.cricketsociety.org.uk/events/keith-cook-gary-barwell-edgbaston-tuesday-17th-january-2-00pm

More well deserved recognition for Gary Barwell and his team:
https://edgbaston.com/news/edgbaston-ground-staff-receive-honours-at-2022-grounds-manager-of-the-year-awards/

Ambitious plans:
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/what-edgbaston-stadium-could-look-25679038
The short answer to "what the stadium could look like in ten years" is "even less like a cricket ground than it does now".

I agree that this looks like an ideal role for Farbrace. His son-in-law, Ollie Robinson, is also at Hove.
As for the Director of Cricket role, The Cricketer reports that Ashley Giles was in line for the job at Worcestershire but turned it down - possibly with something better in mind?

Fixtures announced!
https://edgbaston.com/fixtures/

That's good news for him.
He has family including a twin brother in Australia. I hope he doesn't get too comfortable with the Gold Coast sunshine and switch allegiance.

....and another actual appointment - but still no announcement about the Director of Cricket:
https://edgbaston.com/news/new-high-performance-coach-shaftab-keen-to-develop-clubs-huge-talent/

Due for a knee operation:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/63782917

Get ready to put some dates in the diary:
https://edgbaston.com/news/2023-fixtures-to-be-released-next-week/