THERE is something uniquely Bermudian about Cup Match. It is in equal turns tradition and celebration, family and cricket. No other holiday - not even Good Friday - captures the spirit of these islands as Cup Match.But whichever end of the island they hail from, most Bermudians seem to agree that it simply isn’t Cup Match without the company of Jim Woolridge (pictured).

Indeed, when a former sports writer for this newspaper dubbed him the “Voice of Summer”, it was not so much flattery but an acceptance of the obvious.

Perhaps it’s because he has done it for so long, or his wealth of cricketing knowledge or maybe even that reassuring baritone - but for whatever reason C. V. (Jim) Woolridge is as much a Cup Match institution as camping or cassava pie.

Now in his forty-third year behind the microphone, the “Voice of Summer” enjoys the game every bit as much as his ardent listeners.

“A whole country stops to watch a game of cricket,” says Mr. Woolridge, “and everyone benefits from it. People come together on those two days who never got together before. It is purely a Bermudian thing.

“If I may quote the words of (former Governor) Lord Montimere, who said ‘This is the only country that I know of that gives a two day holiday for a game of cricket and I jolly well agree’.”

Yet, as much as he enjoys the atmosphere and festivities of Cup Match - his first love remains the game itself.

“My father’s home was right on the Flatt’s cricket field, so playing cricket became as natural as coming to breakfast. I’ve always played, and have always said if anyone lives by the principles of that great game they’re on the way to a good, productive life. To me, cricket is the greatest character-building game there is.”

As a young man, it seemed Mr. Woolridge was destined for a career playing cricket, not describing it. A talented batsman and wicket keeper, he made his debut for the Flatt’s Victoria Cricket Club at the age of 15, and made 36 not out.

Later, he would captain his team to victory in the Eastern Counties Cup over rivals Bailey’s Bay. It was not until Mr. Woolridge hung up his willow that he found a permanent place in cricketing lore.

“When I was working at ZBM I approached management with a view to broadcast one of the Eastern County games. A fellow named Lee Rankin, who used to run the Knick Knack stores, became our first sponsor.”

It was a revolutionary concept then, as ZBM typically devoted only two hours a day to a cricket match. Mr. Woolridge made the first full-length broadcast with the late Mr. Ronnie Evans from Lord’s in St. David’s. The year was 1965, and the “Voice of Summer” - although that moniker would come much later - has had a place on the airwaves ever since.

Although his knowledge of local cricket and its history is authorative, many Bermudians listen simply to hear his voice. There is no mistaking it. Deep and distinctive, listening to it is nearly as relaxing as watching cricket on a lazy summer’s afternoon.

“I’ve always known my voice was a little different. But it’s completely natural. One of the best stories I have to tell is this. One day I was walking along the street by the Bank of Butterfield on Reid Street. I saw a blind man with a white cane and dark glasses and I thought he wanted to get across the street. So I came up to him and asked if I could help and his immediate response was ‘Jim Woolridge, ‘Voice of Summer’. What a pleasure to meet you.’ He said ‘On behalf of Beacon House for the Blind I want to thank you for bringing cricket in to our lives. Those of us who are committed to a life of darkness see through your eyes.”

It is the type of voice one hears once and never forgets. Mr. Woolridge tells of a time when he was Tourism Minister and had an occasion to call an acquaintance in London. When a secretary answered and Mr. Woolridge asked to speak to the gentleman, the immediate response was: “Is this Mr. Woolridge from Bermuda? I have spoken to you once years ago and I’ve never forgotten!”

Now in his eightieth year, Mr. Woolridge might be forgiven for tiring of cricket. Yet, his enthusiasm has not diminished.

“No, it never becomes boring. Sometime you want to get out there and help them execute the strokes. It’s the fascination with this game that keeps me going. It has been great to me—I enjoy every bit of it.”

In his 43 years in the commentary box, Mr. Woolridge has developed a style all his own. His commentaries are mostly free of statistics - he relies on long-time partner Sean Tucker for those - and do not contain the detailed analyses found on other broadcasters.

Another of Mr. Woolridge’s trademarks is his laugh. Equally infectious and infuriating, his laugh is most often a source of mystery.

“Often they’ll ask me, ‘What are you laughing about?’ But I could never tell!”

Like anyone with such a long and eventful life, Mr. Woolridge has plenty of amusing anecdotes to share. One of his favourites is recounted in his memoir The House That Jack Built.<$>

“The late (grocer, diver and tourism booster) Harry Cox was a great friend and a colleague of mine. He just casually asked me one Friday at Miles ‘Clarence Vernon, where you broadcasting tomorrow?’ He was the only person who ever called me that. I told him and thought no more of it. Then he asked what time we broke for lunch, and I told him 1 o’clock.

“The next day five minutes before 1, I heard someone shout at me ‘Clarence Vernon!’ It was Harry on his motorcycle—he brought steak, broccoli, baked potato and ice cream and said ‘This is compliments of Miles!’

“There are so many occasions, like when Janeiro Tucker hit his record 186. Or the 173 by Lloyd James which stood for a long, long time. I’ll never forget Lloyd—he walked up to the wicket and the bat looked like a ping-pong racket, he was so big! But he always played with a smile.”

Of course, if Mr. Woolridge is known for anything besides his cricketing expertise, it is for his long political career. An MP for 34 years he was at various times Minister of Tourism, Immigration and leading candidate for Premier. He left politics in 2002 as one of the island’s foremost statesman, but still follows local and foreign politics closely.

“As far as the local politics, I’m very concerned because I have four grandchildren. I want them to have the opportunity to grow up in the same great country that I did.”

Alluding to certain recent events, he says:

“In 1968 (when Mr. Woolridge was elected to Parliament) I asked three politicians of long standing, Sir Henry Vesey, Sir Dudley Spurling and Col. Brownlow Tucker, what advice they could give me and they said: Only speak when you have to, and when you know what you’re talking about. That’s a rule that many politicians now could follow.”

Mr. Woolridge will not comment on everything that has transpired recently, but does not pretend to be neutral in the upcoming election.

“Politics is very fickle—when politicians say ‘I’m going to take care of you’ that can have many connotations. I admire Michael Dunkley. Some people falsely say he comes from a privileged class—but Michael, from a very early age, had to learn the value of hard work.”

As for the recent controversy involving Mr. Dunkeley’s absence at the funeral of Dame Louis Brown Evans, Mr. Woolridge said: “He had made arrangements in advanced. It was no slight—he’s one of the most respectful people I know. It’s cheap, and totally unnecessary. I happened to go to the funeral of Dame Lois and I saw (Deputy leader) Ms Pamplin Gordon representing the party and she did an outstanding job. I haven’t heard anybody from the UBP say anything because the Premier missed the Queen’s Birthday Parade. The negative thinking we see around here ruins what could be a wonderful atmosphere.”

Still, despite this, Mr. Woolridge remains as a proud an Onion as any.

“There’s a gentleman I know who once told me ‘You know, the only people who don’t like Bermuda are Bermudians.’ We have the greatest little country in the world here, and don’t let anyone ever tell you different.”