Fielding both men’s and women’s Senior teams plus age group teams for both boys and girls, Shapwick and Polden Cricket Club is now the only cricket club in the Polden Hills and provides the opportunity for adults and children to participate in sport in a welcoming and safe environment.
The two neighbouring villages of Ashcott and Shapwick played as one club for many years. However, the times changed and in 2015 Ashcott & Shapwick CC merged with Chilton Polden CC to form Shapwick & Polden Cricket Club.
In fact, had it not been for the continuing uncertainty regarding Covid, in 2021, it was planned to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the inaugural meeting of the Chilton Polden club held on June 7th, 1871.
They are now the only cricket club in the area and are reckoned to be the most successful village club in Somerset. The club still plays at their original ground at Northbrook Road in Shapwick at a delightful setting in the Polden Hills and now has a magnificent pavilion/clubhouse.
The evening of Tuesday 18th July 2017 saw up to 500 people at the cricket ground to witness the opening of the new pavilion by Somerset County cricketer James Hildreth and a T20 game between Shapwick & Polden CC and a strong Somerset County XI of whom 5 played the following Sunday against Middlesex at Taunton.
Chairman Alistair Barr paid tribute to the major funders of the project including Viridor Credits Environmental Company (Landfill Communities Fund), Sedgemoor District Council (RLT3 fund), the England and Wales Cricket Board (Grant Aid Programme & Small Grants Scheme), the Holly Hill Charitable Trust, the Western Somerset and Somerset Levels & Moors LEADER Programme (European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development) and the Estate of the late George Heywood who used to play at Shapwick. Alistair also thanked Cave Builders for construction of the building
The square, outfield and ground in general has greatly improved in recent years, mainly due to an expert, dedicated groundsman in James Hayman, who is also the club’s leading all-rounder. In 2022, the club came third in the League’s ‘pitch marking’ list, beaten only by Taunton and Weston-super-Mare.
For many years the Club Secretary at both Ashcott & Shapwick and Shapwick & Polden was Martin Baker until he very sadly passed away in May 2021.
You must be logged in to post a comment.