Category: Articles

Barry Phillips, the writer of several Somerset cricketer biographies and co-writer of the Somerset Cricketers series, has written a biography of William Stephens Donne. It is likely you have never heard of William, but a hundred years ago his standing and reputation in sporting circles was second to none. A larger than life character in every respect, he was born and lived in Castle Cary where, as its major employer, he was duty-bound to play an active part in the town’s cricket and rugby clubs.

His lasting cricket legacy was to form a touring club, the Devon and Somerset Wanderers. One of these tours was to Paris in 1900, while the city was hosting the second Modern Olympiad. Years later, one of the matches played and won by the Wanderers was deemed to have been an Olympic final between England and France So much has been written about this match that it might be assumed there is nothing further to tell, but the book corrects the identity of one of the players, misidentified for decades, and addresses a question that has perplexed cricket historians – how did these West Country amateurs of average ability ever come to represent their country?

As for William’s rugby, he became President of the English Rugby Union and a national selector. He was heavily involved in the earliest United Kingdom tours by Southern Hemisphere countries, and these tours were not without controversy and incident, particularly those involving the All Blacks. William’s diplomacy and sheer force of personality did much to ensure they were a resounding success.

Outside of sport, William was a successful businessman, continuing the flax manufacturing business that his great, great grandfather started in Castle Cary two centuries ago, and he was loved and respected for the tireless work he did on behalf of his town. You can read about his extraordinary life in LARGER THAN LIFE.

The hardback book is to be published on December 5th 2025, priced £22, and you can contact Barry Phillips (bpwg@sky.com, 07704855278) to pre-order a copy. The book will also be available at Somerset County Sports at the Cooper Associates County Ground or from any bookseller (ISBN 978-1-0369-6400-9).

Chief executive Jamie Cox (centre) is pictured with Stephen Astaire (left) and Brian Lee (photograph and article below – contributed by Museum Trustee Richard Walsh).

During the County Championship match v Yorkshire (9th September 2025) the Somerset Cricket Museum was presented with two prized items relating to the legendary bowler Teddy Tyler.

The slow left armer was one of the cricketers who played a major part in helping Somerset gain first class status and between 1891 and 1907 he appeared in 177 first class matches during which he took 864 wickets at an average of 22.34.

Tyler holds the record for the best figures by a Somerset bowler for the 10 for 49 he took against Surrey in 1895. During his career Tyler took 15 wickets in a match twice, 14 wickets in a match on three occasions and 13 wickets twice.

 One of the items presented to the museum was the ball that was used by Tyler to take the first ever hat-trick for Somerset in First Class cricket.

He claimed the hat-trick in the match against Yorkshire at the end of August 1895, taking the three prized wickets of JT Brown, Denton and Tunnicliffe. In the first innings Tyler claimed seven for 133 and in the second he took seven for 114, which included the hat-trick.

The hat-trick ball along with some early Somerset CCC yearbooks signed by Tyler were donated by Brian Lee, who said: “Ted Tyler was a very distant relative on my Dad’s side and the cricket ball and books have been passed down through the family over the years. 

“I was born here in Taunton and now live in Newton Abbot.I came back to watch a number of matches in the 1970s and 80s in the Glory Years and I come up to watch Somerset occasionally. The books and ball have sat on the shelf and occasionally I got it down and looked at it, but thought it was time that other people had the chance to share them.”

The second item relating to Tyler was an engraved silver cigarette box presented to the bowler to commemorate his 14 for 122 against Gloucestershire at Ashley Down in May 1896. In the first innings Tyler took six for 50 which he followed up with eight for 72 in the second- in both of which he took the wicket of Dr. W.G.Grace.

Stephen Astaire who donated the cigarette box said: “ I collect boxes and vesta cases with interesting engravings on them. I bought the cigarette box off e-bay 10 or 15 years ago and now I have got so many that I thought Id thin my collection out. 

“I contacted Jamie Cox and told him I’d got this box and think it ought to be exhibited so would you please like to have it. Mike Unwin from the SCM replied to me  and I have brought it down today.”

Chief Executive Jamie Cox was on hand to receive the two new treasured items relating to the achievements of one of Somerset’s early heroes.

On August 18th 2025 a team of Somerset cricketing legends returned to Sidmouth CC to play a match to celebrate the formation of the County Club at the same venue exactly 150 years ago.

The Somerset legends team led by chief executive Jamie Cox, included five  members of the team that he led at Lord’s to win the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy at Lord’s in 2001- Andy Caddick, Mike Burns. Keith Parsons and Steffan Jones. The team also included three current members of the Somerset Women’s team, Chloe Skelton, Sophie Luff and Jess Hazell, who kept wicket, as well as James Hildreth, Pete Trego and Mike Parsons.

Batting first against a Men and Women’s Sidmouth XI the Somerset side opened with Burns and Caddick who put on 17 before Caddick was out in the fourth over for 8.

Burns was joined by Trego, who upped the tempo immediately and hit the first 6 of the evening. In response Burns hit his first six, but it was Trego who lit up the evening with his big hitting antics, peppering the Belmont Hotel boundary wall and even blasting one into the sea!

The pair added 70 together when Burns was out for 23.

Trego was joined by Hildreth and both showed that they had lost none of their prowess with the bat. Trego went to his half century with a big six and immediately retired, his 55 coming from 29 balls with three 4s and six 6s.

Hildreth also went to his half century off 29 balls with three 4s and five 6s before he retired..

When Cox was joined by Keith Parsons suddenly it was 2001 again as the pair ran between the wickets and added 31 in three overs.

Skipper Cox remained unbeaten on 24 off 14 balls as Somerset ended on 196 for five from their 20 overs.

When Sidmouth batted Cox tossed the ball to Jones, another throwback to the 2001 final and the Welshman duly obliged by having opener Charles Brock sharply caught by ‘keeper Hazell.

Josh Patidar and new batter Matt Matravers added 42 in three overs before the opener was caught by Luff off Mike Parsons.

Matravers hit 25 off 11 before Hazell caught him off Trego after which only Akeem Jordan threatened to spoil the party with 23 before he fell to Keith Parsons.

Appropriately the final wicket was claimed by Captain Cox who had Will Murray caught and bowled from his only delivery.

Immediately afterwards the Somerset CEO addressed the crowd saying: “It’s awesome to have this many people here.This club has been around a long time and as you know it’s our birthday today. The club is here because of our people who are amazing snd I can’t thank you enough for coming along and supporting tonight.  Quite frankly it’s overwhelming to see so many people come and watch a friendly game.

“Thank you to Sidmouth for putting on the night, to everyone for coming and playing, and to my team, many of them my old team mates and to the three girls – not one of them said no.”

He added: “I cant thank you enough for coming along tonight.”

This was a unique and special cricketing occasion that was enjoyed by the very large crowd in a warm and relaxing atmosphere against the backdrop of the sea, a perfect way to celebrate Somerset’s 150th birthday!

The Somerset Cricket Museum was recently presented with a cricket bat that was used by Sir Viv Richards in 1979.

The bat was presented to Museum Trustee, Mike Unwin ahead of Friday’s (July 18th 2025) Vitality Blast match against Gloucestershire by Denise Marsh on behalf of her father Roy Williams, who both reside in Minehead.

Roy, now a sprightly 94, was previously a bank manager in Taunton where he had connections with Taunton CC. His son, Neil, also played for Taunton CC as well as appearing for Somerset Second XI. Neil is now MD of Harris Fowler who are a Commercial Partner of SCCC.

Regarding the bat, Roy said: “If my memory serves me correctly, this sponsorship was the first one that Viv received in his cricketing career with Somerset. In fact it may be the only sponsorship he received as, of course, sponsorships were more rare in the 70s.

“In 1979, Urch Harris (Stamp dealers) sponsored Viv for £1 for every run he scored that season. At the end of the summer his runs totalled 1500 or thereabouts.

“The bat was presented to Viv at the Ground and he subsequently paid the bat as a cheque into his account. Obviously a bat cannot go through the banking system so we had to duplicate the cheque and I was left with the original item which I have cared for ever since, although time has taken its toll on the handle of the bat.”

Roy added: “I found Viv to be a very humble man off the field and we had a good banker/customer relationship. I had the pleasure of meeting him again about 12 years ago when he visited Minehead where I am living in retirement.”

Mike Unwin said: “This is a marvellous addition to our collection and we are most appreciative of this donation. It will take pride of place in the Museum, either in the bat collection or alongside the tribute to Viv.”

We are very grateful to Mr Andrew Maxwell for donating a picture and other memorabilia of his great grandfather James Maxwell, who played for Somerset from 1906 to 1908. He was born and died at Taunton, Somerset. James was a right-handed batsman and a right-arm fast-medium bowler.

A photograph of James Maxwell who played for Somerset CCC at the start of last century was recently presented to the Cricket Museum by his great- grandson Andrew Maxwell, a lifelong supporter who now resides in Shropshire.

Ahead of the Vitality Blast match against Kent, Andrew made the trip to Taunton to present the picture along with some cricketing memorabilia relating to one of his sporting heroes, Brian Rose, who was on hand to receive it.

The original photograph of James, also known as Jimmy, who made 10 first class appearances between 1906-08, had been in the Maxwell family ever since, but last summer after consulting with the rest of the family it was agreed to present it to the SCM so it could be enjoyed by others.

In September last year (2024) Andrew travelled to Trent Bridge to watch the Metro Bank Final between Somerset and Glamorgan, and during a rain break took the opportunity to mention the photograph to James Rew.

James put Andrew in contact with Mike Unwin at the Cricket Museum, who in turn spoke to Somerset Vice Chairman Richard Brice who made the link with Brian Rose the upshot of which was his visit to present the photograph.

In addition to the photograph of his great- grandfather, Andrew also presented the museum with a collection of articles and memorabilia relating to Brian Rose- his hero, who had kindly come along to meet him when he was at the museum.

Andrew Maxwell said: “Brian, the most successful Somerset captain ever, was one of my sporting heroes when growing up. It was extra special to share with him, my first ever experience of watching first class cricket, and what a start it was? 

“Brian was playing for England, having been recalled for the third Test Match in 1980 at Old Trafford against that feared West Indies foursome of Andy Roberts, Joel Garner, Malcolm Marshall and Michael Holding.

“I told Brian, I didn’t even see Holding’s first ball, before it hit the wicket keeper’s gloves. Brian said something similar regards the first ball he faced from him. But once that had passed, literally, he was on his way, scoring 70 out of an all out total of 150. 

“As a 15 year old on a school trip, I had recorded every single ball of that first day’s play in 1980. I was just so happy to share that with Brian along with other items relating to him, and present it to the museum for future generations to enjoy, as I have. 

“Sometimes when eventually meeting your life long hero you can be disappointed but not me. A truly great captain and a lovely, quiet unassuming gentleman. I could have chatted for hours with Brian.”

Andrew added: “Many thanks to Mike Unwin from the Somerset Cricket Museum, Richard Brice (for putting me in touch with Brian), Richard Walsh, for sharing my grandfather’s story and of course, Brian, for the joy and pleasure he brought to me as a 15 year old on that June day in 1980 at Old Trafford.”.

We are very grateful to Alan Ranger for passing on this autographed program from the SCCC match v Australia in 1948 to the Somerset Cricket Museum.

By coincidence Mr. Paul Gilley, who was in the Museum recently, was at that match and remembered it well.

The Peter Spencer (1933-2021) Memorial Cup is now held in the Somerset Cricket Museum and is played for annually between Somerset Stragglers and Devon Dumplings.

Peter was a member of Devon Dumplings, Somerset Stragglers, the MCC and many other clubs during his more than 60 years of playing.

2023 winners Devon Dumplings.

2024 winners Devon Dumplings.

2025 winners Somerset Stragglers

We are very grateful to Mr Paul Cole for sending this set of Memorabilia to the Museum. They recall the testimonial match for Mervyn Kitchener v Nailsea in June 1973.

From the programme “Mervyn was born in Nailsea and played for the local Club as a Junior. He then played several seasons for Flax Bourton C.C. before joining the Somerset Staff in 1957. He made his first class debut in 1960 and gained his County Cap in 1966. He has topped 1,000 runs in the last seven seasons with the exception of 1970, scored 14 centuries, 51 half centuries, and made a highest personal score of 189 in 1967 against the Pakistan touring team at Taunton”.

From the teamsheet below it can also be seen that Somerset sent a very strong team to Nailsea for the match.

‘This could be the start……an article by Museum Trustee Colin Trim,

…of something big’’ was a hit song of the 50’s, and t it was in that decade on Saturday 22nd August 1953 that my father, Harry Trim, took me for my baptism into watching first-class cricket at the County Ground. The Australians were coming to Taunton after losing the Fifth Test (and the Ashes) to England by 1 wicket.

Continue reading “Somerset v Australia August 1953”

Regarding this association, Claire Wood, Senior Marketing Manager at First Bus stated “We are delighted to support the Cricket Museum and look forward to working collaboratively with them to ensure more people visit by bus! Please click here for full details on our Buses of Somerset timetables and routes: https://www.firstbus.co.uk/somerset”.

This is a lovely story sent to us by a member of staff at the Braemar Lodge Care Home, Salisbury and thanks also go to Keith Templeman at the Somerset Stragglers Club for his help in the research……

“For the last two years, Anthony Collyns has lived at Braemar Lodge Care Home in Salisbury. It was very clear, right from his early days in the home, that he has a passion for cricket. Anthony often speaks fondly of his time playing with the Somerset Stragglers in the middle of the last century. ‘I had many happy times at the club, both playing and watching.’

At the time, (mid 1959s) Anthony was serving in the Somerset Light Infantry (later becoming the Somerset and Cornwall Light Infantry) and would play with the Stragglers whenever he was back at base in Taunton, or on one occasion for the SLI v Stragglers.

One of the Companions at Braemar Lodge decided to contact the Somerset Cricket Museum to find out what memorabilia there might be about Anthony, and his brother Napier who also played.

Using Stragglers memorabilia including the book on their history 1900-2000 and yearbooks, they did some research and produced several pages of information, with statistics on matches that Anthony had played in – including one where he scored a century.

Anthony’s daughter also brought in a replica plaque from the Somerset CCC Legends Wall, where he and his brother are listed (see photos above). We presented these finds to Anthony, in front of some of his fellow residents, who were impressed with his achievements. Anthony was very touched for the research done, and we thank everyone so much for their work in finding this for him.”

Can anyone add to this story….?

An article by Mike Unwin, Museum Volunteer/ Trustee.

We are very grateful to Mr Phil Wrixon from West Dorset for donating this cricket bat to the Museum. Just another cricket bat, I hear you say, but is it ?

Let’s look at some of the stories and memories that lie behind the donation.

Nothing out of the ordinary about the bat, a fairly standard Gray Nicholls Crusader bat from the 1960s, but one that has been autographed by the Somerset and 1960 South African Tourists. What makes it so different for me is that, as a 12 year old, I was at that game, in July 1960.

I remember catching the 10:00 am train from Yeovil, arriving at Taunton at around 10:50 and then the short walk down to the County Ground, with an eager anticipation of seeing the South Africans play against Somerset, on the last day of the three day match. Fancy allowing a child nowadays to travel alone across the county by public transport!

The first two days had not gone well for Somerset. In their first innings South Africa scored 365 all out, the captain Jackie McGlew top scoring with 65 runs before being bowled by Brian Langford. In reply Somerset only made 122 with McKinnon taking 6/22. Somerset were asked to follow on and were 94/4 at the end of the second day’s play. Adding only another 126 to the total, Somerset were all out for 220, the South Africans winning by an innings and 23 runs sometime after lunch.

Now, my return train was not until 5:00 pm so this gave a lovely opportunity for autograph hunting in the afternoon. Waiting with other children outside the players entrance, somewhere near where the Stragglers Coffee Shop is now, slowly the tourists emerged. Firstly Neil Adcock, the fast bowler, carrying only his cricket boots, but he was too busy to give autographs, then the captain Jackie McGlew and vice-captain Trevor Goddard came out laden with blazers, boots, bats etc. When asked for their autographs more in hope than expectation, they immediately put their kit down, signed our books and instructed other team members including Adcock to do the same. Memories that are still with me today – see Autograph Book (although sadly the second page is missing) below.

What about the bat autographed by both teams ? Well it was won by Mr Wrixon in a raffle, at a fund raising event for Bridport Cricket Club in August 1960 – see press cutting below – after a match between a Somerset XI and Bridport – no auto correct in those days. Another example of Somerset supporting clubs within the region.

As a teenager, Mr Wrixon well remembers the Bridport players although sadly many have now passed away. Members of the BCC team that day were Brian Follett, Dave Cox, Mike Gurd, Mike Break, Tony Samways, Derek Callam, Clive Taylor, Derek Gale (capt), Val Tambini, Des Lawes, B. Pearce, ? Courtier and Bill Graves. Brian Follett also recalls playing in the 1962 and 1963 matches.

Andrew Moulding in his articles for the Axminster Nub News (‘Moulding’s Memories’) noted that “The Bridport Cricket Club ground was a stone’s throw away from Palmer’s Brewery and when the wind was in a certain direction, the smell of hops brewing was quite intoxicating” and “Apart from the beery smell wafting across the field, one of the features of the Bridport ground was the lengthy walk for batsmen from the pavilion to the wicket – and back again, particularly if you had managed to get out early in your innings.”.

For whatever reason, Bridport CC now longer exists. According to reports they had to withdraw from League cricket in 2015 due to a lack of players, finally closing in 2018 and passing their score hut / board to Broadwindsor CC.

So what other stories can be found from the bat and the 1960 tour ?

From nearly every point of view the 1960 South African tour of England proved disappointing.

 Firstly, it was a wet summer, and many matches were disrupted by rain. What’s new? 

Secondly, the young fast bowler Geoffrey Griffin, who had suffered an elbow injury as a child, and therefore unable to effectively straighten his arm, was no-balled for throwing on several occasions, thus ending his career. 

He was no-balled for throwing in several matches prior to the Test series, but nevertheless retained his place in the side. In his second Test appearance, at Lord’s in June 1960, he became not only the first South African cricketer to take a hat-trick in a Test match, but also the first cricketer of any nationality to do so at Lord’s. In the same match, however, he was no-balled for throwing eleven times, 

A sad parallel here with the Somerset bowler Eric Bryant who was no balled 5 times during a match v Gloucestershire in 1960, after which Somerset did not re-engage him and his career ended.

Thirdly, anti-apartheid demonstrations were held outside most venues. 

Fourthly, none of the young players showed signs of developing into good Test players. 

Fifthly, South Africa lost the first three Tests and drew the other two. 

Sixthly, the tour showed a financial loss and lastly, apart from Roy McLean (whose autograph can be seen above) the South Africans “found themselves short of enterprising batsmen”.

At face value, just another autographed bat in the Museum’s collection but then look a little further. As we always say, ‘it’s not the objects themselves but the memories and stories that are invoked by them’.

We were delighted to welcome the Officials, Parents and members of the Tiddington U13 team to the Museum today – 29th July 2024,

The group are on a tour of Somerset and Devon, playing Taunton Deane and then travelling to Cullompton and Exeter. After a tour of the ground and lunch they spent about 40 minutes with us – the video of the 2023 Blast final a favourite.

Supporters may recall that Jack Brooks was a junior cricketer at Tiddington before moving into the county pathways.

Photographs by kind permission of Tiddington CC.

The Somerset Cricket Foundation led by Mustafa Shaikh and Susann Savidge from the SACN had a wonderful time in the Museum, decorated for the occasion, engaging in conversation with visitors and especially chatting to them about their memories about “Sir Viv” and are very grateful to visitors for completing the brief questionnaire of which approaching 20 have been returned, – they will be collating the stories and sharing them at a later date.

There were lovely recollections of  “Sir Viv” the person beyond the elite cricketer that he was. The museum upstairs was just a perfect setting and looked amazing with the flags of Antiqua and Barbuda, Barbados and Jamaica.

Susann Savidge and the Somerset African Caribbean Network will be writing their own report of the Windrush Legacy event – which will shared at a later date.

An article contributed by Museum Trustee Richard Walsh (with additional contributions from Mike Unwin).

Somerset County Cricket Club are mourning the sad loss of Ken Palmer who passed away in Musgrove Park Hospital on Tuesday  23rd July aged 87 and the Trustees and Volunteers at the Somerset Cricket Museum, share and feel the same sadness as do all Somerset supporters on hearing of the passing of the Somerset all rounder Ken Palmer.

After a long and successful playing career with Somerset, during which in 1961 at the age of 24 he became the youngest player to achieve the double of 1000 first class runs and 100 first class wickets, he then served as a first class umpire for 31 years  before retiring in recognition of which he was awarded the MBE for his services to cricket 

Ken was a classy right handed batter and a fast medium bowler, who was born in Winchester  on 22nd April 1937 and grew up in Devizes where he made quite an impression on the local cricketing scene as a result of which he was invited to Hampshire for trials. 

However he wasn’t offered terms and instead signed for Somerset and arrived at the County Ground in the spring of 1954 at the age of 16.

Ken made his first team debut against Middlesex at Bath in June  the following year in which he claimed two wickets in their first innings- Freddie Titmus and Don Bennett and was then dismissed twice himself by Titmus.

After that introduction between 1955 and 1969 he went onto play in 302 matches for the county, scoring 7567 runs at an average of 20.67 which included two centuries and a best of 125 not out against Northamptonshire in 1961, the year in which he topped 1000 runs for the only time.

With the ball Ken took 837 wickets at an average of 21.10 with his best return being nine for 57 against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge in 1963. He took 100 first class wickets in a season four times, his best being in 1963 when he claimed 126.

Ken was 12th man for England in 1963 and two years later when he was coaching out in South Africa in 1965 he got called up to play in the Fifth Test Match against South Africa at Port Elizabeth, which was to be his only appearance for his country.

After retiring from playing Ken became a first class umpire and went onto officiate in 22 Test Matches and 23 One Day Internationals.

In retirement, Ken was a very familiar face at the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton and also a great friend of the Museum. He made a surprise visit to the Museum in March 2024, with his son Gary, also a former Somerset Cricketer (photographed below with Museum Volunteer Patrick Draycott) and also a few weeks ago, meeting up with Museum Volunteer, Mark Reeve.

Peter Robinson who played alongside Ken in the Somerset and was a good friend said: “Ken was a gutsy cricketer – what I would call a muck and bullets player, he would always get stuck in with the bat and bowl all day. He was a tough cricketer and was unlucky not to have played more Test matches- he should have played in England really.”

His record for the Club has been fully documented on the Somerset CCC website and his reminiscences recorded by Richard, in Episode 2 of the Former Somerset Players podcast.

The Museum, over the years has held many items of Ken’s, from his cricket bag (pictured below), his testimonial tie, and the story of his Single Wicket Trophy success in 1963.

From a personal perspective, I first started watching Somerset in 1956 and Ken’s autograph sits in my autograph book alongside other childhood heroes such as Bill Alley, Peter Wight and Brian Langford.

Ken was one of the Somerset greats and will be much missed by everyone who knew him.

SOMERSET CRICKET MUSEUM – 124 YEARS ON – OLYMPIC HEROES

An article written by the late Tony Stedall, once Curator of the Museum.

One hundred and twenty four years ago a party of cricket tourists from the West Country and a team of the best players from the handful of cricket clubs then existing in the Paris area met in the French capital for a two-day 12-a-side match grandly billed as ‘France contre Angleterre’. 

It was one of many sporting events arranged in Paris in 1900 as part of the great World Fair.

The match played in the Vincennes arena, attracted very little interest, but the few spectators were rewarded with an exciting finish. ‘England’ beat ‘France by 158 runs after dismissing the home side for only 26 in the second innings with just minutes to spare.

The second Olympic Games of the modern era were also being staged in Paris that summer. They were poorly organised, facilities were inadequate, only 22 countries took part, and in fact the games ended up as nothing more than an adjunct to the World Fair. But when 12 years later, the Olympic authorities finally compiled an official record of the 1900 Games they included the cricket match and a number of other World Fair events, to the surprise, no doubt, of those who had taken part.

Cricket has never figured in the Games before or since, so the West Country amateurs who played in Paris that summer have their own little niche in cricket history.

This curious story becomes even stranger when one looks at their opponents, for only three of the French team have French names. The rest were Englishmen resident in France.

The touring team, moreover, had little claim to represent England. They played as the Devon County Wanderers on this occasion, but retrospectively were renamed the Devon and Somerset Wanderers, for several came from Somerset and two in fact Alf Bowerman and Montague Toller each played a few first class games for the county around the turn of the century.

 The Wanderers owed their existence to W.S. Donne of the Castle Cary Club, who founded and led an annual tour for many years, (see additional notes below). Several of the players were former Blundells boys.

The 1900 tour, however, was not captained by Donne(although he took part), but by C.B.K.Beachcroft of Exeter.

The two who played for Somerset were heroes of the rain-affected match. The scores were; England 117 and 145 for 5 dec., France 78 and 26. Bowerman, who was born at Broomfield in the Quantocks, was top scorer of the game with a brisk 59 in the second innings. Toller, a Barnstaple man, then took 7 quick wickets (all bowled) when the French batted again. He conceded only 9, 10, or 14 runs according to which account one believes.

To sum up, England are the current Olympic Cricket gold medalists and champions.

Additional notes re W. S. Donne (contributed by Barry Philips)

William Stephens Donne was the driving force behind early Castle Cary CC tours. The first took place in 1894 to the Isle of Wight and in  subsequent years the tourists went to the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands and the Lake District. In June 1898, the touring cricketers and family left Harwich bound for Holland where William Donne had organised an ambitious 5th tour which featured seven matches. 

For whatever reason, William probably needed to broaden the representation, the tour to Paris in 1900 was made under the team name of the Devon County Wanderers, which would in later years adopt the broader title of the Devon and Somerset Wanderers. William was involved as secretary and organiser of each subsequent annual tour until his death in March 1934, aged 58.

The first image (below):is taken from the 1904 tour to the Channel Islands. The second image is from the 34th tour to Hampshire in August 1933. By the time of his death, he had already organised the 35th tour (again to Hampshire) which went ahead in August 1934 as a mark of respect. 

William was not much of a cricketer. He wasn’t a bowler and he usually batted in mid to late order. In the ‘Olympics’ match, going in as the 8th batsman, he was run out for 6 in his only innings. His running between wickets may well have been hampered by his ample girth as apparent from the images. He did captain the Castle Cary 1st X1 from 1912-1915, but he was happier playing for the 2nd X1 and it was his outstanding organising ability that counted more than his cricketing contribution. At various stages, he acted as secretary, chairman and president of the club. 

But, what he lacked in ability for cricket he made up for it with his rugby and his penchant for scrummaging. Firstly for Castle Cary RFC and then for Somerset. Elected to the latter’s committee in 1893, aged 18, he served as hon. secretary from 1896 to 1905 and was elected president in 1923, a position he held until his death. He was also president of the Rugby Football Union in 1924/25. Whilst president of the RFU he suffered a significant health scare, to the dismay of the King who sent him a get well message.  

A pupil of King’s School, Bruton, he and his brother Thomas were the directors of a twine and rope company at the Higher Flax Mills in Castle Cary. They were the 6th generation of the family to carry on the business. William was a pillar of the Castle Cary community. He was a Justice of the Peace, a parish, district and county councillor and he was the Chairman of various charities and boards which were the beneficiaries of his organisational and communication skills. The streets of the town were lined with mourners to pay their last respects at his funeral.

Article contributed by Trustee and Journalist, Richard Walsh.

Former Somerset all rounder Ken Palmer, who is still a very familiar face at the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton, made a surprise visit to the Museum last month (March 2024), with his son Gary, also a former Somerset Cricketer (photographed with Museum Volunteer Patrick Draycott).

He may not have been born in Taunton, but Ken Palmer has certainly made it home since he first travelled west from his then home at Devizes, although he was born at Winchester in Hampshire where he initially went for a trial.

However it wasn’t to be and instead the highly talented youngster who was more of a batsmen, was signed on after he impressed Harry Parks who was the Somerset coach back in 1954.

Palmer played his early cricket for the Somerset Dragons and the Second XI at the same time as which he spent a lot of time working round the ground sweeping up the stands and picking up the grass mowings.

“That’s how it was back then. We had sandwiches and a bottle of milk for lunch,” he said.

Palmer made his first team debut against Middlesex at Bath in 1955 and gradually became established in the line up.

“After you had got the taste of first team cricket you didn’t want to go back playing for the Seconds anymore.”

However it was Maurice Tremlett, who went onto become Somerset’s first ever professional captain that taught Palmer the art of swing bowling and made him into the successful all rounder he became.

“Maurice Tremlett took me under his wing and helped me a great deal with my bowling. He taught me how to swing the ball out which I couldn’t do at that time.”

Once Ken had mastered that art there was no holding him back and he went onto become a genuine all rounder, which he underlined when in 1961, at the age of 24 he became Somerset first player since the Second World War to achieve the double of 1000 first class runs and 100 wickets in a season.

That summer Palmer played in 32 three day championship matches in which he scored 1036 runs at an average of 25.90, including a best of 125 not out, and bowled 965 overs, 248 of which were maidens and took 114 wickets at an average of 20.32, which included seven games in which he had five or more wicket hauls.

Between 1955 and 1969 Palmer appeared in 302 first class games for Somerset in which he scored over 7500 runs at an average of 20.73 with two centuries and took 837 wickets at a cost of 21.11 each.

His career best innings for Somerset was an unbeaten 125 against Northants at Wantage Road in 1961, while he best bowling figures were nine for 57 at Trent Bridge against Nottinghamshire in 1963- although Palmer reckons the best he bowled was against Lancashire at Old Trafford in 1963 when he took seven for 37, all of which were bowled!k

They don’t make them like Ken Palmer anymore that’s for sure!

A bit of research by Paul Baker has uncovered, he believes, that the clock at the top of the Colin Atkinson Pavilion celebrates its centenary this year (2024).

He writes “It previously resided at the top of the old scoreboard which stood, more or less, on the current site of the Colin Atkinson Pavilion, until 1979. It was then moved to its current location. It is the only remnant of the ground from before 1979. The old scoreboard was paid for by a donation of, as far as I can see, £69 from the Stragglers Club. The donation was made at the end of the 1923 season and so, and I have made a bit of an assumption here, the scoreboard was in place for the 1924 season. It has therefore seen a few things and a bit of change in its time.”

The Colin Atkinson Pavilion Clock 
1924-2024

I am the Colin Atkinson Pavilion clock. 
I marke the walk of Old Father Time. 
Endlessly measuring days 
Since John Daniell stood firm at the crease, 
And Ramsay McDonald first reigned in Downing Street. 
New, from atop the scoreboard then, I cast my steady gaze. 
Now, I am the only remnant of those post Great War days. 
I am the Colin Atkinson Pavilion clock. 
Marking time. Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock. 

Days when brightly jacketed amateurs formed Somerset’s front line, 
With names like Critchley-Salmonson and Ulrick Considine 
Playing on endless summer days. 
Days when Munich’s Beer Hall Putsch simply melted away, 
And winning the Championship was a thing for another day. 
I saw Bill Andrews and Arthur Wellard in their prime. 
In days when Neville Chamberlain claimed peace in our time. 
I am the Colin Atkinson Pavilion clock. 
Marking time. Tick tock. Tick tock. Tick tock. 

I stood firm as another war was fought and won. 
Then saw Gimblett strike sixes into the churchyard, as if for fun, 
As times changed 
Nye Bevan laid the NHS at our feet 
Before our years of perpetual Championship defeat. 
I saw Maurice Tremlett create a team to fear, 
And Bill Alley score three thousand runs in a year. 
I am the Colin Atkinson Pavilion clock. 
Marking time. Tick tock. Tick tock. Tick tock. 

I saw the shift from Gentlemen to Players 
And one-day cricket come to Taunton’s sacred acres 
As times changed 
In the wake of the Sixties social revolution 
I watched as Somerset built towards one-day trophies with professional resolution. 
Close, Richards, Garner and Botham to the fore 
But the Championship never came to our door. 
I am the Colin Atkinson Pavilion clock. 
Marking time. Tick tock. Tick tock. Tick tock. 

The old scoreboard was the first of the old ground to go. 
In its place the new Colin Atkinson Pavilion on show. 
As times changed 
With traditional industries swept away in the face of global competition, 
And wood-splintered cricket stands displaced by plastic modernisation. 
For Somerset, no Championship, but five glorious trophies to ponder, 
Before, beneath my gaze, a great team split violently asunder. 
I am the Colin Atkinson Pavilion clock. 
Marking time. Tick tock. Tick tock. Tick tock. 

I gazed on in the quieter years that followed. 
Watching the artistry of Jimmy Cook and Mushtaq Ahmed. 
As the world moved on 
The Channel Tunnel completed. The Berlin Wall demolished. 
The Soviet Union unseated. Apartheid abolished. 
Then, at Taunton, a stirring: the Botham Stand erected, Jamie Cox appointed, 
But still, the ever-patient wait for the Championship pennant to be hoisted. 
I am the Colin Atkinson Pavilion clock. 
Marking time. Tick tock. Tick tock. Tick tock. 

Then, amid the razzmatazz of a new millennium 
Came energy and infrastructure regeneration. 
As times changed 
The Twin Towers came crashing down, filmed live in their plight. 
While Andy Caddick bowled endlessly, never ceasing to fight. 
And Jamie Cox produced a team which played as if in his image cast, 
With atomic energy unleashed, and a trophy eighteen years after the last. 
I am the Colin Atkinson Pavilion clock. 
Marking time. Tick tock. Tick tock. Tick tock. 

I saw the Stragglers Bar and wooden benches fall away, 
To be replaced by structures designed for the modern day. 
As times changed 
Lehmann Brothers crashed, and Harry Potter ruled supreme, 
While Justin Langer arrived to pursue the Championship dream. 
He laid the foundation for two decades of first-division play, 
But the Championship still in the future lay. 
I am the Colin Atkinson Pavilion clock. 
Marking time. Tick tock. Tick tock. Tick tock. 

I saw Craig Overton and Jack Leach in their prime, 
And Marcus Trescothick batting with touch sublime. 
As times changed 
In the unreal world, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram held sway, 
While in County Cricket’s world, live streams became the order of the day. 
I saw Alfonso Thomas take four in four, 
And James Hildreth’s hundred with a broken ankle at its core. 
I am the Colin Atkinson Pavilion clock. 
Marking time. Tick tock. Tick tock. Tick tock. 

Now, as my second century beckons, 
And another dictator threatens, 
As times change, yet remain the same, 
I look down with hope renewed as I have at each new season’s start, 
Waiting to see who will come forth and who will play their part. 
And with every run, and every wicket and cheer 
Breathe the eternal hope, “This year. This year.” 
I am the Colin Atkinson Pavilion clock. 
Marking time. Tick tock. Tick tock. Tick tock … 

This research started in trying to establish the identity of the Artist who painted the picture of the Recreation Ground in Bath shown below.

Painted in the late 1940s/early 1950s. (Note – No Hampton Stand or Leisure Centre) this picture is owned by the Somerset Cricket Museum, and was on temporary loan to the Bath & Wilts Area Committee, before being returned to the Museum.

The signature (bottom right) is a little blurred but with a little guess work and a spot by Michael Tarr in a book containing one of his paintings, one can just about make out the name Durman. Plus the date and location and it all seemed to add up.

Many internet searches later I found that an Alan Durman lived in Saltford until his death in 1963. Further research found other oil paintings and the 1950s/1960s Railway travel posters bearing the same signature. (Google alan durman travel pictures for more information).

According to the Saltford News, after his death, his wife, Kathleen, moved away to Essex to be with her family and there the trail ran dry, However there was a reference in the Keynsham News of his two children Mark and Shelly.

In addition to Shelley, Mark Durman lived in Saltford in 1945 according to “A Wartime Childhood in Saltford” by Elizabeth Sabin published by Keynsham and Saltford Local History Society in 2003.

Now other things of Somerset Cricket interest began to emerge. From the Saltford online Museum “ To commemorate the death in March 1751 of Prince Frederick of Wales, who had visited Saltford for a village royal picnic with his eldest daughter Lady Augusta in 1750 during a visit to Bath (see above), a cricket match was organised in his honour.

This match is the first recorded cricket match in Somerset and was repeated annually for a few years thereafter. According to ‘A History of Saltford Village’ by Percy Sims (1976) the cricket match was held in the same Saltford Meadow where Prince Frederick had dined.”

Also in 1995, Somerset CCC played a charity / testimonial match against Saltford as seen in the Match Programme.

Also of importance to the village was that Alan Durman, spent most of one summer (1963?) painting a mural on the rear wall of Saltford Hall. Each person representing his or her’s organisation. 1.xxxxxx, 2.xxxxxx, 3.xxxxxx, 4.Roger Evans, 5.Joy Brignall, 6. John Brice, 7.Shelley Durman, 8.xxxxxx

Note that No. 7 is Shelley Durman, his daughter, who followed a modelling career and it is believed featured in many of the Railway / Travel posters. However I was unable to find any more information or contact details.

Then the final piece of the jigsaw, searching through LinkedIn and Facebook I did find a fiction writer, Mark Durman, living in Spain and somewhat apologetically inquired if indeed he was Alan’s son and had any recollection of the picture? To which he replied.

“You correctly found the right person concerning the picture of cricket on the Bath Recreation Ground circa 1950! I recognise the distinctive style of my father, Alan Durman, and indeed I have a hazy memory of the day he painted it. At that age, about ten, I was a dedicated cricket fan (still am!) and always tried to watch county games played on the Bath rec. My father did not share my sports enthusiasm but came with me one day and painted that scene while I was enthralled watching the match. Those were the days of the excellent Somerset team where Harold Gimblett would set the innings going leading to swashbuckling cameos from the likes of Maurice Tremlett and Arthur Wellard! Amazing when Somerset played Gloucestershire and we young fans got to watch the outstanding Tom Graveney.

Regarding the painting. The attachment you sent from the Somerset Cricket Museum is the first time I’ve seen it since soon after my father painted it. At that time he frequently painted in the centre of Bath usually around the area of Pulteney  bridge. I would very much like to have a copy of this cricket painting for my family. Could I ask you to send a good quality photo that I can print out?

Art skipped a generation in my family. I inherited no artistic talent but my two sons did. Anthony is currently Head of Art at the prestigious Denia British School in Bangkok and William is a talented photographer currently living in Bali, Indonesia. I know they will both be very interested in your mail which I will copy to them.”

I would like to thank the kind folk of the Saltford Parish Council and the Saltford Environmental Group for the help that they gave me.

Mike Unwin (February 2024)

Article and Photographs contributed by Edwin Morris

Between 1921 and 1927 Monty Hambling played for the Somerset County side, as a ‘holiday’ cricketer, it being the custom of the day that outstanding amateurs were picked by the County when available, usually annual holiday leave from their professional occupations.  

Playing for Somerset, Hambling took 24 wickets for an average of 20.54 and was a member of the team which dismissed Gloucestershire for 22 – only to lose the match.  His best figures were recorded at Worcestershire where he scored 58 and took 6-31. 

Continue reading “Somerset Cricketer – Monty Hambling (1921-27)”

Article contributed by Mr Michael Metherell

Some cricketing memories 

Continue reading “Cricket Memories – Somerset and Berkshire”

Article contributed by Paul Baker aka Farmer White.

James Hildreth has retired from professional cricket. His career will one day, no doubt, make a classic cricket book. But now, as Somerset supporters everywhere are remembering one of the last great single-team domestic careers here, as a special tribute, are one person’s personal memories of the greatest moment of his Somerset career. A personal appreciation of more of James Hildreth’s great innings for Somerset appears in the preceding post to this one. This is an extract from that article. There is a link to the full article below.

Continue reading “Century on a Broken Ankle – James Hildreth – Somerset Steel”

County Championship. Somerset v Worcestershire. 23rd, 25th and 26th July 1977. Taunton.  Contributed by Paul Baker.

When Marcus Trescothick opened the Championship batting for Somerset at the age of 43 in 2019 it brought back memories of two other emeritus England batsmen playing in a Championship match at Taunton. It was in a different age and the nature of Championship cricket was as different as the age. Matches were played over three days instead of four, there was no promotion or relegation and so no external pressure on most matches. Declarations to set targets where hard cricket could not force a result were part of the cricketing landscape. Fitness regimes were an undreamt-of thing of the future and players playing into their forties was not an uncommon occurrence.

Continue reading “Somerset v Worcestershire July 1977 B.Close v B. D’Oliveira”

Gillette Cup Semi-Final. Kent v Somerset. 14th August 1974. Canterbury, contributed by Paul Baker (aka Farmer White); Also see this article by Richard Walsh.

Toss. Kent. Elected to field.

The 1974 Gillette Cup semi-final at Canterbury is burned into my memory and vivid images abound there. I re-run them often. The impact it made perhaps reflects the importance of semi-finals, and for that matter quarter-finals, in the two one-day cups of the time. They were major set-piece events which bestrode the domestic cricketing landscape like Glastonbury Tor, Dunkery Beacon and the Wellington Monument bestride the landscape of Somerset.

Continue reading “Gillette Cup Semi-Final. Kent v Somerset. 14th August 1974. Canterbury.”

Contributed by Trevor Incles

A video entitled Cricketers All ( 1949 ) which features, albeit briefly, Bill Alley, who played a prominent rôle for Somerset in the late fifties / early sixties, has been brought to our attention. This appears to be a cine film which was digitally enhanced and reformatted by Salford University and can be viewed free of charge on Vimeo and Youtube.

Cricketers All (1949) (Bill is seen in the opening introduction and approximately 11:30 mins into the film.

Trevor writes “The film gives a brief insight into post war cricket in the Lancashire League and the profusion of world class players who entertained the often vast crowds who attended those matches. More importantly, I feel, it is the social commentary which puts into context cricket as it was played in those pre multi media days ! Incidentally,  I find the narration extremely funny as it is given by a Lancastrian” trying to speak posh” and ends up talking like Captain Mainwaring !

I confess to self interest in that one of the opening batsman for Rawtenstall v Bacup was Tom Incles, my father.  Lancashire League cricket provided a springboard for factory and mill workers, such as my dad, to become local celebrities and improve their lot. Following the formation of the Northern League in 1951/52, my family moved to Blackpool where Dad used to open the innings with firstly  Hanif Mohammed, then Rohan Kanhai and ultimately Bill Alley. Tom and Bill established a number of batting records which stood for a long time. “

The Wikipedia link to Bill Alley’s playing career is to be seen here

 Apparently (and without verification), an obituary to Bill Alley stated that during his time as the professional at Blackpool CC he was the most highly paid cricketer in the world ! Not only did he have a generous basic salary, he also benefited from cash collections from the throngs of holidaying spectators, whenever a 50 was scored or 5 wickets taken (as the film demonstrates) – an all-rounder’s dream ! He was also granted a testimonial match during  the course of every season. Can any other player who has represented Somerset equal or indeed surpass that record.

Trevor continues “However, the point of this tale is that my father was offered a Sales Representative job with the firm of one of Bill’s uncles in Haslingden, where, incidentally,  my grandad took me to watch their new young pro play – a chap by the name of Clive Lloyd !

The upshot of all this is that my father established his own successful company on the south coast along similar lines to those of Bill’s uncle,  which he ran until his retirement. Were it not for the involvement of Bill Alley  in this story, it is most likely that our family would not have had the opportunities with which we were presented and which we grasped with both hands !  Thank you, Bill !”

Continue reading “Obituary – Vince Lindo. Contributed by Richard Walsh”

Continue reading “Obituary – Michael Hill. Contributed by Richard Walsh.”

Continue reading “Obituary – Terry Willetts. Contributed by Richard Walsh.”

Continue reading “Harold Gimblett’s Hundred by John Arlott finds its way back home! – an Article by Richard Walsh”

Continue reading “History – Cricket Bat Makers Millichamp and Hall”

Contributed by Richard Walsh (Journalist and Museum Trustee)

The Somerset Cricket Museum has recently linked up with South Somerset based Newsline which has enabled a whole new audience to access the contents.

Continue reading “Somerset Cricket Museum and the South Somerset based Newsline “

Contributed by Chris Clapham

Continue reading “Sutton CC – Summer Tour of Somerset Cricket Clubs”

Somerset VI CC became the Blind Cricket England & Wales (BCEW) David Townley Memorial Twenty20 Cup Winners for the third time this year, thanks to two sensational performances during Finals Day on Saturday 17th September 2022 at Wolverhampton CC.

Continue reading “Sublime Somerset VI CC Secure Twenty20 Cup Treble”

The distinction of leading the first Kidmore End cricket team on to a field here fell to Henry Hamilton Palairet Esquire, who then lived at Kidmore House and was a member of an old West of England family renowned for its sportsmen. Fortunately for the cricket public of the country, he extended his love of cricket untiringly to the tuition of his two sons, Lionel and Richard, as soon as they could hold a bat. Both became great cricketers and all round sportsmen. Both played for Somerset and, to this day, Lionel still holds (with H. T. Hewitt) the record opening wicket partnership for that county, 346 against Yorkshire at Taunton in 1892.

Continue reading “Kidmore End Cricket Club and its unique relationship with Somerset County Cricket Club”

Article contributed by Paul Baker aka Farmer White

My father was a musician and a good one by the account of those who knew about such things. The consequence was that his entire sense of timing was applied to his music. He had none left for anything else. As a result we were late everywhere we went and for everything we did. Cricket was not spared. Not even Somerset cricket.

Continue reading “The ‘League of Nations’ and the Battle of the Shilling Ticket’”

James Hildreth has been a permanent fixture near the top of the Somerset batting order for almost 20 years, but sadly he has played his last innings for the Cidermen.

Even though he wasn’t born in the county the fans have loved Hildy from the very first time he pulled on a Somerset shirt back in 2002 since when he has provided us with so many entertaining innings, but sadly there will be no more after he pulled up with a hamstring injury which has brought a premature end to his retirement season.

Continue reading “James Hildreth – a personal appreciation by Richard Walsh”

Twenty one years ago on September 1st 2001, it seemed like the whole of Somerset were making their ways  up the M5 and along the M4 to Lord’s Cricket Ground to watch the Cidermen take on Leicestershire in the final of the Cheltenham and Gloucestershire Trophy.

Continue reading “21 years ago Somerset lifted C & G Trophy at Lord’s on that never to be forgotten day”

On Wednesday 10th April 2022, two Somerset players made remarkable centuries. One was scored for Somerset by Ben Green in the RLODC tie against Durham at Taunton, the other, the first ever in ‘The Hundred’, by Will Smeed for Birmingham Phoenix in a match against Southern Brave at Edgbaston.

Both performances were exceptional and both worthy of the outpouring of praise that has followed but, for me at least, it is the innings of Ben Green that will last longest in the memory. This is not simply because Green’s 157 was the higher score, nor was it because, after a relatively slow start, his last hundred runs were made considerably quicker than Smeed’s total score of 100 not out. And neither is it down to the fact that I am somehow biased against Smeed because his runs were scored in a tournament that has already undermined county cricket and threatens to be part of changes that will bring about its’ complete demise.

Continue reading “A Tale of two Tons (and other memories) by Pete Aird.”

First published in the Somerset County Gazette June 2022

Continue reading “A look at 75 years of Somerset fandom with Lord Archer by Richard Walsh”

by Steve Tancock with thanks to Stephen Hill and Barry Phillips, authors of “Somerset Cricketers ….“ and Mike Tarr for permitting the use his beautiful portrait of Somerset’s legendary post-war groundsman (first published on Somerset North Blog May 2022).

Continue reading “Cecil Buttle – Groundsman Supreme, Mentor Par Excellence”