Club Life: Olicanian Ashes and a plea to save village cricket

The Cricketer delves into some of the stories from around the club cricket scene...

Rising from the ashes

Most cricket fans in England will remember August 2019 for Ben Stokes’ career-defining innings at Headingley (and of course, Jack Leach cementing his place as an icon for glasses wearers everywhere).

However, just 15 miles north-west of the Ashes venue, the members of Olicanian Cricket Club in Ilkley were embarking on an uncertain future, their pavilion and an adjoining nursery burned to the ground by arsonists.

Mark Dexter, a trustee of the club, told BBC News at the time: "We’re a club now on life support, with no stumps and no bails. We’ve been plunged into cricketing hell."

But on May 22, nearly three years on from the fire and in the club’s centenary year, members will mark the grand opening of the new pavilion – named the David House Pavilion in memory of their former chairman who passed away in December – with a guest appearance from former England and Yorkshire bowler Ryan Sidebottom and a special 'Ashes' fixtures.

An Olicanian Select XI, captained by Tom Smallwood and featuring the bowling of Sidebottom, will compete against a team of overseas players from across the Airedale and Wharfedale League, led by Ryan Morley, with the winners lifting the 'Oli Ashes' – two charred bails rescued from the wreckage of the pavilion and mounted in oak and glass by local cabinet maker, Brent Thompson.

Official Pavilion Opening & Olicanian Ashes Sunday 22nd Mayhttps://t.co/trCHoygUuZ pic.twitter.com/88Hby0JQch

— Olicanian CC (@OlicanianCC) May 13, 2022

Speaking to ITV, club president, Mick Christopher, said: "This is the club’s first piece of new memorabilia. It will be staying in the new pavilion, win or lose. It’s going to be a great day for all of us at the cricket club, and an emotional one."

The cost of rebuilding Olicanian CC came to around £600,000, with a full insurance pay-out and support from the ECB helping the club during its recovery. A local crowdfunding campaign also raised around £25,000 to cover the lost revenue from the bar.  

Save village cricket!

Bayford & Hertford Nondescripts have issued a cry for help in order to preserve the future of village cricket.

The club, situated in the sleepy Hertfordshire village of Bayford, were looking forward to a bright post-pandemic future in 2022, but unfortunately, this has not been the case, with player availability causing on-field problems.

In an open letter addressing their plight, the club said: "As we approach our 70th year, the club, unfortunately, is in trouble. For the first time in our modern history, there was no league game for Bayford cricketers, the club having to concede both the home and away fixture. We were not alone, with more than a dozen games conceded across the Herts Saracens League.

"There are numerous reasons for the decline in playing numbers – cricket is a long game and time is precious. Travelling adds to the burden. Furthermore, a game which has long periods when not much happens seems at odds with a society built on instant gratification. Competing priorities for young people is a contributing factor [and] the current cost of living crisis. Sadly, without action, more clubs will inevitably close with cricket fields lost to the community."

For those of you who may not be able to see our letter pic.twitter.com/ewQlAScmxU

— SaveVillageCricket (@savevcricket) May 11, 2022

As a well-run club, money, fortunately, is not an issue and in a bid to boost numbers, the club has opted to remove any financial barriers to participation in 2022, with no membership or match fees and bar prices kept as low as possible.

In an interview with The Cricketer in February, chairman Jonathan Slater and long-standing member Steve Greenfield also spoke of the club’s openness to diversifying in their bid for survival: "Our attitude is, 'What would you like to do? We want to accommodate you'.

"We’re happy to accommodate mixed teams, teams of colleagues, teams of golfers, schools matches, and different formats. If you’ve never played before, if you’re a bit rusty, if you want to play a high standard of cricket, we can do all of that. We’re trying to take the best bits of cricket’s history and culture and bring them into a modern environment."

And now, they are calling upon larger clubs to help save their smaller neighbours and with them, village cricket.

"What can be done to save village cricket?" the letter continues. "There needs to be an urgent discussion throughout cricket about a long-term strategy to support and rebuild the game. This needs to be bottom up and involve as many players and ex-players as possible.

"More immediately, we ask the local cricketing community to come together to help save their local village clubs. It would make sense for smaller clubs to partner with larger clubs, who may have an excess of players. By working together, we can ensure that as many of those who wish to play cricket on a Saturday can get a game. We needed half a dozen extra players to fill our two sides, could we not borrow those who aren’t being picked?

"If you are a larger club, can you help your local village side?"

To find out more, contact Ben Wilson on 078629160901 or savevillagecricket@gmail.com.

^{Bayford & Herford Nondescripts' ground [Steve Greenfield, with thanks]}

Colwyn Bay CC targeted by arsonists

The community of Rhos-on-Sea are counting the costs after a suspected arson attack at Colwyn Bay CC.

Just after midnight on May 20, police and fire services received reports of a fire at the club and while no one was injured in the blaze, the Tea Pavilion – the oldest building on the site – has suffered significant damage.

Three arrests have since been made in connection with the fire.  

With the main pavilion undamaged, cricket is continuing at the club but the loss of the Tea Pavilion, and all of the equipment inside it, will have a knock-on effect on the various community groups who use Colwyn Bay’s facilities throughout the week, most notably Conwy Connect’s Saturday morning art club for children with learning disabilities.

A fundraising campaign is underway to replace the lost equipment. Donations can be made here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/3azar-childrens-art-club.  

^{The Tea Pavilion before and after the fire [Colwyn Bay CC, with thanks]}

Dorridge CC handed sponsor boost as centenary approaches

Dorridge CC in Warwickshire have moved once step closer to realising their redevelopment dreams after securing a new sponsorship deal with recruitment firm, Pertemps Network Group.

The club, which fields teams in the Birmingham & District Premier League, Warwickshire County Cricket League and West Midlands Women’s League, are due to celebrate their centenary season in 2028 and have bold plans to improve their existing ground, construct new playing facilities and grow their already blossoming junior section.

Club chairman, Phil Smith, said: "Dorridge Cricket Club will be 100 years old in 2028. It’s a club that has lots to celebrate and is well placed to achieve even more.

"We have ambitious plans to deliver a first-class cricket experience for every member and at every level of the game and are delighted that Pertemps are supporting us on our journey."

Header image: Bayford & Hertford Nondescripts