Compiled by former club chairman Graham Newman
For more history about the village of Elmswell visit the Elmswell Millenium History Group website.
Early Days
Elmswell Cricket Club was re-established in 1974 and played its first game in 1975. Very little is known about the Club before then although it is believed that this was at least the third time that it had been reformed. Apparently, the Club had been in existence up until the First World War, possibly having been started, in the first place, in the 19th century. At that time, the Club was run by J.H. Newson.
War Years and Between
There is no trace of the Club's existence between 1914 and 1924 although in 1925 there was virtually a full list of fixtures. It would seem that the Club then went into decline as the next recorded game was in July 1931. This was a one-off, as the Club again reformed in 1932. Quite a few games were played in the period to 1935 with fixtures against a number of teams still playing in the Mick McNeil Suffolk League - Brettenham, Cockfield, Great Barton, Rougham, Thurston, Walsham, Wattisfield and Woolpit. Interestingly, there was also a game against Tostock Ladies in 1933, the result being a victory for the ladies by seven runs!
The Club continued in existence until the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939.
While little is known in detail about the Club in the 1930s, various facts have come to light, as follows:
Grounds: there were three at various times - the corner of Cooks Road and Thedwastre Close before the Thedwastre Council offices were built; Pyes Meadow; and behind the Rectory. At Pyes Meadow the Council erected a hut and the existing tennis hut was converted into a score hut.
President: David Black of Bacton, who was Chairman of the Bacon Factory.
Captain: F. Kemp until 1935 when he moved away from the village. 1936-1939 O.E. Jewers.
Scorer: Hicton Baker who was Joe Kemp's clerk.
Match Days: Saturdays - players worked until 1.00pm but were always ready for a 2.15pm start, turned out in clean gear. Most games were played on Saturdays but there were odd evening games against Stowmarket at Needham Market, and against the Brewery at the Victory Ground.
Teas: these were prepared and served by Mrs Pratt as she had tea rooms opposite the Mace (previously Cattons Motors). The teas provided useful income, supplementing her income from the letting of rooms.
Net Practice: twice a week. The time was also used to prepare the wicket although the only time the outfield was cut was if grass was needed for hay.
Players: Alfred Johnson from Hunston, Edward Nunn an engineer, Freddie Rice who worked for the Water Authority, Joe Kemp who lived at Rose Acre but farmed in Norfolk and daily took produce to London, Raymond Ayres from Cooks Road, Jack Goymer, the Howletts and Elmers from Woolpit.
1974 Onwards
Geoff Gower was very much instrumental in the Club being reformed in 1974. He had moved to Elmswell on his retirement but prior to that had been heavily involved in cricket and hockey in Buckinghamshire. He was a member of Chinghoppers C.C. from 1947 until his death in 1989. The three people involved in calling the first public meeting in 1974 were Geoff Gower, Tony Green and Norman Sinclair.
They became, respectively, Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary, each holding these posts for a number of years. In addition, both Geoff and Norman regularly donned the umpires' coats.
When the Club was reformed in 1974 it was necessary for a square to be laid and overhead telephone lines had to be removed for this. The ground was in the heart of the village and served the Club well until the site had to be vacated in 1984 to facilitate the building of the new school and for housing. The first matches under the new management were in 1975.
1990s and Beyond
In the early nineties the Club maintained its position in Division 2 of the Mick McNeil Suffolk Cricket League but mid-decade its fortunes dipped. A number of players moved away from the area whilst others retired from playing. Effectively, a complete team was lost and it was a struggle to find 11 players each week. As a result, the Club was relegated in successive years (1995-1997).
Co-incidentally, the first year in Division 5 also saw the demise of near-neighbours Wetherden Cricket Club. While it is always sad to see clubs fold, we reaped the benefit as a number of their key players moved to play for Elmswell. Promotion was achieved immediately - as the Club won the Division 5 championship.
In 2001 promotion was again achieved, back to Division 3. Sadly, a crisis in playing strength recurred in 2002 and relegation ensued.
Grounds
1975-1983 - Cooks Road Playing Field (what is now the Primary School and Oxer Close). There were limited facilities so teas were taken in the nearby Memorial Hall. There was no piped wate to the square so one way water could be applied was to seek the help of the local Fire Service on their practice night! Dick Burch also provided assistance by towing a water cart behind a tractor, and the water was spread by bucket sometimes on the morning of a game if the pitch looked a little lively and uneven!
1984-1985 - all matches were played away as the Cooks Road Playing Field was redeveloped. At the time, a considerable effort was made to secure an alternative playing field, including involving the local MP, but without success. Thanks to the generosity of their opponents the Club was able to remain in existence during this difficult period of two years without a home ground.
1987-1994 - Haughley Park, courtesy of Mr A.J.Williams.
Woolpit C.C. had vacated the Park at the end of 1986 when they moved to their new ground, so Elmswell C.C. were fortunate to inherit an existing square. During occupancy the Club improved the facilities with the construction of a new tea hut and the erection of a score-hut from donations given in the memory of Geoff Gower.
1995- Blackbourne Meadow, Elmswell. The new square was professionally laid by Mike Clarke of Grass Roots in 1993, becoming playable in 1995. The Geoff Gower score-hut was moved to the site from Haughley Park. Having returned to the village it was still necessary to use portakabins for changing and teas but, at least, electricity and running water were available! As the portakabin was used during the week by the local youth club so psychedelic decorations had to be endured during matches. The 1998 season saw the completion of The Blackbourne, a new centre containing kitchen, changing and shower facilities which is now used by the Club at all home games.
League & Cup Competitions
Although the Club only played friendlies, initially, it was not long before Elmswell C.C. became involved in league and cup matches, not least the National Village Cricket Competition.
Suffolk League: 1990- promoted from Division 3 in only its first year, the Club resided in Division 2 until relegated in 1995. Sadly, relegation hit again in 1996 and yet again in 1997. In 1998 it played in and won Division 5, and in 1999 consolidated its position in Division 4, before gaining promotion again in 2001. Relegation hit again, however, in 2002.
Mid-Week League
From 1976 to 1980 the Club played in what was then known as the Haughley Evening League. It joined again in 1984. This League changed in 1985 to be known as the Mid-Suffolk Evening League. While the Club continued to take part, actually winning this League in both 1987 and 1988, the League itself started to attract increasingly bigger and more powerful Clubs. In 1997 the Club entered a joint team with Wetherden C.C. but this amalgamation did not work very well. Wetherden C.C. ceased to exist at the end of 1997 but notwithstanding this, Elmswell had already decided to withdraw from the League to concentrate on evening friendlies.
National Village Cricket Competition
The Club entered this national cup, sponsored at various times by Whitbread, Norsk Hydro, Rothmans and "The Cricketer" between 1984 and 1993.
For more history about the village of Elmswell visit the Elmswell Millenium History Group website.
Early Days
Elmswell Cricket Club was re-established in 1974 and played its first game in 1975. Very little is known about the Club before then although it is believed that this was at least the third time that it had been reformed. Apparently, the Club had been in existence up until the First World War, possibly having been started, in the first place, in the 19th century. At that time, the Club was run by J.H. Newson.
War Years and Between
There is no trace of the Club's existence between 1914 and 1924 although in 1925 there was virtually a full list of fixtures. It would seem that the Club then went into decline as the next recorded game was in July 1931. This was a one-off, as the Club again reformed in 1932. Quite a few games were played in the period to 1935 with fixtures against a number of teams still playing in the Mick McNeil Suffolk League - Brettenham, Cockfield, Great Barton, Rougham, Thurston, Walsham, Wattisfield and Woolpit. Interestingly, there was also a game against Tostock Ladies in 1933, the result being a victory for the ladies by seven runs!
The Club continued in existence until the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939.
While little is known in detail about the Club in the 1930s, various facts have come to light, as follows:
Grounds: there were three at various times - the corner of Cooks Road and Thedwastre Close before the Thedwastre Council offices were built; Pyes Meadow; and behind the Rectory. At Pyes Meadow the Council erected a hut and the existing tennis hut was converted into a score hut.
President: David Black of Bacton, who was Chairman of the Bacon Factory.
Captain: F. Kemp until 1935 when he moved away from the village. 1936-1939 O.E. Jewers.
Scorer: Hicton Baker who was Joe Kemp's clerk.
Match Days: Saturdays - players worked until 1.00pm but were always ready for a 2.15pm start, turned out in clean gear. Most games were played on Saturdays but there were odd evening games against Stowmarket at Needham Market, and against the Brewery at the Victory Ground.
Teas: these were prepared and served by Mrs Pratt as she had tea rooms opposite the Mace (previously Cattons Motors). The teas provided useful income, supplementing her income from the letting of rooms.
Net Practice: twice a week. The time was also used to prepare the wicket although the only time the outfield was cut was if grass was needed for hay.
Players: Alfred Johnson from Hunston, Edward Nunn an engineer, Freddie Rice who worked for the Water Authority, Joe Kemp who lived at Rose Acre but farmed in Norfolk and daily took produce to London, Raymond Ayres from Cooks Road, Jack Goymer, the Howletts and Elmers from Woolpit.
1974 Onwards
Geoff Gower was very much instrumental in the Club being reformed in 1974. He had moved to Elmswell on his retirement but prior to that had been heavily involved in cricket and hockey in Buckinghamshire. He was a member of Chinghoppers C.C. from 1947 until his death in 1989. The three people involved in calling the first public meeting in 1974 were Geoff Gower, Tony Green and Norman Sinclair.
They became, respectively, Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary, each holding these posts for a number of years. In addition, both Geoff and Norman regularly donned the umpires' coats.
When the Club was reformed in 1974 it was necessary for a square to be laid and overhead telephone lines had to be removed for this. The ground was in the heart of the village and served the Club well until the site had to be vacated in 1984 to facilitate the building of the new school and for housing. The first matches under the new management were in 1975.
1990s and Beyond
In the early nineties the Club maintained its position in Division 2 of the Mick McNeil Suffolk Cricket League but mid-decade its fortunes dipped. A number of players moved away from the area whilst others retired from playing. Effectively, a complete team was lost and it was a struggle to find 11 players each week. As a result, the Club was relegated in successive years (1995-1997).
Co-incidentally, the first year in Division 5 also saw the demise of near-neighbours Wetherden Cricket Club. While it is always sad to see clubs fold, we reaped the benefit as a number of their key players moved to play for Elmswell. Promotion was achieved immediately - as the Club won the Division 5 championship.
In 2001 promotion was again achieved, back to Division 3. Sadly, a crisis in playing strength recurred in 2002 and relegation ensued.
Grounds
1975-1983 - Cooks Road Playing Field (what is now the Primary School and Oxer Close). There were limited facilities so teas were taken in the nearby Memorial Hall. There was no piped wate to the square so one way water could be applied was to seek the help of the local Fire Service on their practice night! Dick Burch also provided assistance by towing a water cart behind a tractor, and the water was spread by bucket sometimes on the morning of a game if the pitch looked a little lively and uneven!
1984-1985 - all matches were played away as the Cooks Road Playing Field was redeveloped. At the time, a considerable effort was made to secure an alternative playing field, including involving the local MP, but without success. Thanks to the generosity of their opponents the Club was able to remain in existence during this difficult period of two years without a home ground.
1987-1994 - Haughley Park, courtesy of Mr A.J.Williams.
Woolpit C.C. had vacated the Park at the end of 1986 when they moved to their new ground, so Elmswell C.C. were fortunate to inherit an existing square. During occupancy the Club improved the facilities with the construction of a new tea hut and the erection of a score-hut from donations given in the memory of Geoff Gower.
1995- Blackbourne Meadow, Elmswell. The new square was professionally laid by Mike Clarke of Grass Roots in 1993, becoming playable in 1995. The Geoff Gower score-hut was moved to the site from Haughley Park. Having returned to the village it was still necessary to use portakabins for changing and teas but, at least, electricity and running water were available! As the portakabin was used during the week by the local youth club so psychedelic decorations had to be endured during matches. The 1998 season saw the completion of The Blackbourne, a new centre containing kitchen, changing and shower facilities which is now used by the Club at all home games.
League & Cup Competitions
Although the Club only played friendlies, initially, it was not long before Elmswell C.C. became involved in league and cup matches, not least the National Village Cricket Competition.
Suffolk League: 1990- promoted from Division 3 in only its first year, the Club resided in Division 2 until relegated in 1995. Sadly, relegation hit again in 1996 and yet again in 1997. In 1998 it played in and won Division 5, and in 1999 consolidated its position in Division 4, before gaining promotion again in 2001. Relegation hit again, however, in 2002.
Mid-Week League
From 1976 to 1980 the Club played in what was then known as the Haughley Evening League. It joined again in 1984. This League changed in 1985 to be known as the Mid-Suffolk Evening League. While the Club continued to take part, actually winning this League in both 1987 and 1988, the League itself started to attract increasingly bigger and more powerful Clubs. In 1997 the Club entered a joint team with Wetherden C.C. but this amalgamation did not work very well. Wetherden C.C. ceased to exist at the end of 1997 but notwithstanding this, Elmswell had already decided to withdraw from the League to concentrate on evening friendlies.
National Village Cricket Competition
The Club entered this national cup, sponsored at various times by Whitbread, Norsk Hydro, Rothmans and "The Cricketer" between 1984 and 1993.