It is fair to say that
the formation of the Bideford Cricket Club is shrouded
in mystery, the early records of the Club being
non-existent. One of the earliest reports, however, is
in the West Buckland School Magazine recording that in
1888, the Reverend R.W.S. Vida playing for Bideford CC
scored the first century against the School.
From 1874 until 1904, there existed in Westward Ho! the
United Services College and a plaque indicates that
Rudyard Kipling was educated there from 1878 until 1882.
The present cricket ground at Westward Ho! was part of
the College grounds where cricket was played and, when
the College closed, the ground was purchased by parents
of children at the College, who subsequently sold it to
the local authority with a suitable restrictive
convenant preserving the ground for recreational
purposes.
The earliest positive evidence of cricket clubs at
Westward Ho! is a fixture card issued jointly by The
Northam C.C. and Westward Ho! C.C. for 1902. Fixtures
were played at Westward Ho! and on The Burrows, and
Bideford and Appledore also had cricket clubs.
During the 1939-1945, the cricket ground at Westward Ho!
was used by the Army. By 1948, the Bideford Club had
reformed and club cricket began to emerge though an
amalgamation subsequently took place in 1970 involving
the Bideford & Westward Ho! and the Littleham Cricket
Clubs.
Peter Adams, then chairman, hands the key to Tom
Cartwright at the opening of the new pavilion in
September, 1972.
This was the beginning of the Club as we know it to-day.
A 28 year lease was negotiated with the local authority,
proposals were put forward for a new Clubhouse and
grants applied for. The amenities have been improved and
about 100 home fixtures are played each season in the
Devon League, North Devon League, Cups, and Colts at
Under 15, 13 and 11, in addition to mid-week friendly
games.
|
|
|
