News & 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.