Businessman and sporting stalwart Randall Orchard launches autobiography

Randall Orchard, who made his name in the construction industry, has spent a lifetime in sport. He was a guiding light behind Richmondshire Cricket Club’s rise to national club champions in 2018 and a trip to Lord’s the following year. He has now scored his own half century, having raised his bat after over 50 years as a committee member to the Dalesmen.

Mr Orchard has also owned 100 National Hunt winners and was captain of Richmond cricket, football and golf clubs, eventually becoming chairman of all three.

Contributor (Image: Contributor)

Discussing the writing of his autobiography, titled "Where there’s a will", he said: “At the age of 77 I realised I may have reached ‘now or never’ time, so just prior to the first Covid outbreak, perfect timing.

“I hoped the memoirs would produce some interesting reading, possibly to a few youngsters who might appreciate that determination, ambition and perseverance can go a long way to making up for our own shortcomings in the search for success.”

Mr Orchard was born near Ripon in March 1943, the son of an unskilled North Yorkshire farm labourer, and his early days were lived in abject poverty in the Teesside suburb of Grangetown.

From there he found his way as a teenager to Richmond Grammar School and thus his love affair with North Yorkshire properly began, via cleaning the toilet bucket from a pub in Gilling West for the princely sum of half a crown.

His road into the world of construction was a meandering one, which his book chronicles in detail. So too the many sporting occasions which were central to his life, in particular his horse racing interests, which was topped in February 2022 when Trac strode home at Wetherby to become his 100th winner.

Contributor (Image: Contributor)

Randall admits to three significant strokes of luck in his memoirs – passing the examination to grammar school, meeting his father figure in the building trade and in 1964, at a village hall, chancing upon the Macloughlin sisters – "one of whom was rather special".

He describes the book as: “A simply written autobiography that might be interpreted by some as an indulgence. The story does try to tell of an underprivileged kid who is determined to do his best to make use of the intelligence he was born with.”

"Where there’s a will" – an autobiography, is available for £20 with all proceeds shared between the Injured Jockey Fund, Richmond Cricket Club, Football Club and Golf Club junior sections.

To celebrate the book and his 100th winner, Mr Orchard will be hosting an evening at Richmondshire Cricket Club, Hurgill Road, Richmond, on Thursday, September 15, 7pm for 7.30pm. Dress is casual and books can be purchased at the evening.