Nigel Leonard Wheeler is a lifelong Man of West Kent, having been born and raised in East Peckham where his family has farmed for 4 generations, growing fruit and hops and to where he has returned.

Nigel attended Hilden Oaks, Lancing College and Oxford before becoming a teacher and housemaster at Eastbourne College, and Christ’s College in New Zealand. As Master-in-Charge of cricket and director of many fine plays, he has nurtured exceptional talents, such as Eddie Izard, James Kirtley and Ed Giddins, the last 2 being worthy Bluemantles as well as winning England caps.

When Nigel retired from Eastbourne he carried on sitting as a JP and became High Sherriff of Kent in 2007-8, throwing himself into many philanthropic causes in the county that he continues to support.

As a schoolboy Nigel founded the Scorpions Cricket Club, which carried on for 5 decades playing at home and overseas, carrying out cricketing missionary work in outposts of our beloved summer game such as Paris, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Argentina, Chile, Namibia, and Portugal.

As a player Nigel too often volunteered selflessly to bat down the order and let others enjoy themselves instead of displaying his own considerable classic prowess. He always scored runs on The Nevill and only once had to be carried off with blood streaming from his forehead when he was, typically, too early onto the pull shot.

Nigel is also a keen member of the MCC, Band of Brothers, Kent CCC, as well as being a member of several other wandering clubs and he is also a Hopper.

The Bluemantle’s CC is extremely fortunate that Nigel has honoured us by agreeing to stand as our President.