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Celebrating 275 years of cricket at Bearsted
If you are a fan of cricketing history then pay a visit to Bearsted Cricket Club this summer, as the village team are celebrating their 275th Anniversary.
Several special matches will be played at home by the Men’s First 11, including:
- – Sunday 4 August against Ripley CC at 1pm
- – Tuesday 6 August against MCC at 11am
- – Sunday 15 September against Kent CC 50+ at 1pm
- – Sunday 29 September Honourable Artillery CC at 1pm
Cricket in Kent can be traced back to the year 1300 and there are accounts of King Edward 1 of England playing ‘creag’ at Newenden, Romney Marsh, which suggests an early form of the game.
Bearsted CC is known to have been in existence since the first properly recorded game took place in 1749. There is evidence to show earlier beginnings, as a team from the village beat other local parishes to earn a trip to London to play the Honourable Artillery Company at their ground in Finsbury Square.
Bearsted CC has consistently played on The Green throughout its 275 years and playing was made easier in 1876 when a road which ran across it was removed.
Over the years the quality of the pitch and facilities has improved at Bearsted and the eleven Gentlemen of Bearsted who formed the teams have been joined by women and juniors.
The club now often has three senior men’s teams playing, two women’s teams and around 100 juniors aged 5-16 who are coming through the ranks and playing in various age groups.
David Patton, The Honorary Chairman of the club comments: “Village cricket clubs are important and need to be looked after as they provide access to everyone who wants to play. People also pop down, have a drink and watch the play or watch as their children / partners take part. It’s a huge part of village life and it’s important to have the younger players who we are developing, and we are bringing up through the game.”
In 2019 the club grew when it took over neighbouring Hollingbourne CC which sadly folded due to dwindling numbers of players. Several of their players joined Bearsted and they are custodians of the club facilities. The land was transferred to Bearsted’s ownership and Gullands supported the club in this process. This means their facilities have been preserved as they can only be used for sports.
David continues: “Having the facilities both here in Bearsted and at Hollingbourne is fantastic as it gives us much greater flexibility for practice and play. Hollingbourne is a great pitch for junior players as it is not near a busy road. We have big ambitions for improving our facilities at both sites and would love to develop a ‘cricket academy’ to continue the access to the game for younger players and the pathway up to our senior teams.’
Gullands’ partner and Bearsted resident Leroy Bradley is a former player at the club and is an advocate for the club and its contribution to village life. “To be a part of a village cricket team is terrific as it means as well as playing a sport you love and staying fit, you also have a ready-made network of friends who it is a pleasure to spend time with. But if you don’t play you can also be an important part by supporting and volunteering with the club. The quality of the cricket played here at Bearsted is fantastic and what better way to spend a sunny afternoon than to pull up a deckchair and watch a match. Here at Gullands we have supported the club for many years, and we look forward to watching their continued success and the development of their stars of the future. Who knows, one day they might be walking out to bat for Kent or for England!” For details about the club, lists of fixtures or to keep track via their You Tube, you can find all the details at www.bearstedcricketclub.co.uk