Berkhamsted Cricket Club Hits 150 This Year

Berkhamsted’s Cricket Club will be 150 years old this year and it plans to celebrate its anniversary in style, with the whole town invited to join in the fun.

Founded in 1875, the Club started playing on Berkhamsted Common before moving into the town between the canal and the railway line (where the Football Club now plays), then moving again to its present ground on Kitchener’s Field in 1984.

In the Club’s long history there have been some notable highlights, such as playing against the West Indies four times as well as New Zealand and All India. In the 1970s it won Hertfordshire’s league competition several times, and in 1975 won the local knock-out cup with its First XI beating the Second XI.

As we mentioned, Berkhamsted’s Cricket Club wants the whole town to join in its 150th anniversary celebrations this year.

Chairman Tim Buckley said: ‘The Club wants everyone in Berkhamsted to join us in celebrating our special birthday and we want them to feel that our pavilion and beautiful grounds are there for them all to enjoy.’

This summer there will be lots of special events, including a 6-a-side tournament on the May bank holiday, a year 5 and 6 girls’ tournament, a Grand Reunion for all current and past members, and a Members’ Fun day in June.

In July there will be a double header against the MCC (Men’s and Women’s XIs), which is open for all to come and watch.

Many local businesses are joining in, with special anniversary sausages from Eastwoods, a unique 150 coffee roast at Epicure, delicious 150 buns from Darvells, a special ice cream by Max, the ice cream man on a bicycle, and a 150 Ale from Mad Squirrel!

Throughout the summer, the pavilion will be mounting #FamilyFriday events at the Cricket Club from 6pm each Friday with food and drinks to buy, All Stars coaching sessions for children in years 4-6, and a T20 match to watch. There is plenty of safe space for younger children to run around and for families to set up picnics and enjoy the beautiful setting.

Jess Potts, the Women’s Captain, said: ‘We want everyone to know that they can come along and watch cricket matches being played at the ground for free and you don’t have to be a member. You are very welcome to come into the pavilion to order drinks and food or access the facilities. We look forward to seeing you there!’

Berkhamsted Cricket Club is going from strength to strength in its 150th year, with many of its teams gaining promotion last summer. Its junior teams, girls and boys, won a host of junior county trophies, reflecting the benefits of its professional coaching structure, yet its ethos is focused on enjoying sport and developing skills at every level. It has the largest Women’s and Girls’ squads of any club in Hertfordshire, with dedicated coaches. The Club fields four Men’s XIs on a Saturday, a Sunday XI, a Women’s XI, a T20 side and, with more than 420 juniors including 100 girls, puts out 23 junior teams across the age groups. It also runs disabilities cricket coaching and welcomes applications from any local family.

For full details of everything going on at the Cricket Club this summer, look out for the free 40-page Anniversary Souvenir Programme, which will be handed out at the Saturday market on 26 March and 3 April. Copies will also be available in many local shops, the library, civic centre and the sports centre.