Cricket after the War: Tonbridge Cricket Week 1920

Tonbridge Cricket Week 1920

With the cricket season now in full swing, we can look back a hundred and four years to the Tonbridge Cricket Week.  On 18 June 1920, the Kent & Sussex Courier reported the success – mainly success – of the Week when Kent played host to Worcestershire.  The Week was a first revival after the War of a long tradition.  “Little has been lacking to make the festival attractive and successful.  To supplement the day time cricket – for after all ‘the game’s the thing’ – a comprehensive and varied programme of entertainments has been arranged and visitors have flocked to the town in a manner reminiscent of pre-war days.”  The cricket was played on the Angel Ground, situated where Sainsburys and the main car park are today, and which “was looking in good condition when Kent went in to bat on Saturday morning against Worcester.  There was a large and fashionable assemblage in the morning, when the weather was fortunately fine, and the afternoon attracted a crowd of over 5,000.  This in itself is abundant testimony to the popularity of the innovation of matches starting on Saturdays.  The total “gate” of Saturday was no less than £273 19s and on Monday £154 while Wednesday’s rate was £289”.  [With inflation, the total money raised would be around £45,00 today]

However, on the Saturday afternoon, there were problems.  Much “concern was manifest in the unfortunately accident of Seymour, whose forehead was cut by a rising ball, which necessitated his retirement from the match.  Fortunately, Dr Frank Fraser of Leigh was on the ground and he quickly volunteered his professional assistance”.   And the weather did not help.  “The heavy storm which swept the country in the afternoon did not spare Tonbridge, and there was less than half-an-hour’s play for the huge crowd.  So boisterous was the wind that it blew the tarpaulin off one of the stands, leaving the occupants to the full torrents of the rain”.  But matters improved a bit.  “Monday morning was delightful, although the afternoon provided little cricket and Worcester’s display was disappointing in the extreme.”  Officers of the “Queen’s Own” and the Tonbridge Club were present.  “The Ashford Prize Band played selections on Saturday afternoon and Tonbridge Town Band on Monday afternoon.”   One hopes that they did not get too wet.

Chris Rowley  (parish magazine June 2024)