Balmy Cricket Days in the 1950s

Copyright Valerie Martin 1999

In April 1950, His Grace the Duke of Norfolk had paid an official visit to Kennel Bottom beneath Church Hill to open the new cricket pavilion.

Previous to this I am told there were only makeshift timber sheds in lieu of changing rooms. The players' wives with no mod cons whatsoever had courageously prepared teas and boiled water on a primus stove. Findon Cricket Club could now boast a smart brick building with changing rooms, showers and toilets. Findon Cricket Club was on the map at last.

 A cheerful Findon Cricket team who appear to have been the winning side in 1956. The enthusiastic plays are in he back row, from left to right:-

Gordon Johnson, Reginald Hazelgrove, Bay Jones, Frederick Thompson, Kenneth Martin, Dennis Williams and Douglas Haskell.

In the front row, left to right are Johnny Spiers Junior (known as "Fishy" because he ran the fish shop, George Winton (a relation of the village grocery owner); John Ferries, Thomas Hymas and Jack Gilbert. The keen young scorer is David Groves.

Mick Butterfield of Findon tells me that the Gun Inn was the headquarters of the Cricket Team during the 1950s.

1956 appears to have been a busy year for cricket.   Here is the Findon First Eleven for 1956....

click on both images to enlarge

.... and here they are in close up....

Back Row: From left to right....Chem the Umpire, Maurice Blunsden, Douglas Billingshurst, Roy Walker, Peter Breeze, Bay Jones, Brian Parnell, Cyril Wall and Frank Atton the Umpire.

Front Row: again left to right....Frank Higgins, Johnny Spiers, Gar Ashdown, John Dand and Dennis Williams.

Geoff Williams emailed to say ...."Hello Valerie

I am not sure if you are still collecting records of Findon in the 50's / 60's? And again I am not sure I can add very much, as you seem to have compiled a great deal so far.

I grew up in Findon during that time. My family lived in the valley, firstly in Downside Close and later, on the Findon Road, near to The Cissbury Inn.

I was very interested in the old photos of Findon Cricket Club in the 1950's.. because my Dad, Dennis Williams, played for FCC for many years through the 50's & into the 60's, & captained the team for some of those years.

During that time I virtually grew up on the boundary line of cricket ground!.. as I always went to cricket with Dad and he played every summer weekend game, Saturdays & Sundays as well as the evening knock out matches.. so I recognise & remember many of the players in the pictures.

My Dad still has detailed records of his acheivements with the club, photos & newspaper clippings, if you are interested I am sure he would love to share them. Dad is now 92, and lives a very active life together with my Mum Eileen, in Eastbourne.. he still enjoys his cricket, although he only watches the game now!

If you are interested in any details I am certain dad would be happy to help

Regards, Geoff Williams"

I told Geoff that I had been collecting stories of Findon's past for the last ten years and if he could think of anything interesting to put pen to paper for me.

Continue if you would like to read about Findon Cricket in the Swinging 1960s.