Barnes Common Cricket Club is the local ‘taverners’ cricket club based on the Common at Vine Road. The Club was originally formed back in 1976 and the first official match was played on the private ground of Lord Northbourne near Deal, Kent. Initially we were named the Dwileflonkers and were managed by cricket-loving husband and wife, Steve and Lynn Page, writes Peter Eaton, President of the club. Our fixtures list grew and we secured Vine Road as our permanent home ground in the 1990’s.
Records show that cricket was first played in Barnes close to The Green and the Pond, but the pitch moved close to Scarth Road in the late 1890’s as Barnes expanded rapidly. There is also evidence of disagreements between the cricketers and livestock drovers who continued to damage the playing areas when they used The Pond on their way to market in central London. These pressures forced the move and a new ground was formed close to the Barnes Railway Station; with a railway carriage providing unique dressing rooms in those early years.
Starting from modest beginnings, we have always played a ‘taverners’ form of non-league cricket -with fun-loving, hard-hitting – local club players who embrace a wide range of cricket abilities and playing against a broad spectrum of competitive team fixtures. We play mostly at home, generally on Sundays, but the Club has also had a long tradition of tours, firstly to Shropshire and then Dorset. Our ambitious founders then significantly broadened our horizons, arranging exciting and memorable overseas tours which have included Holland, India, Australia, the West Indies, Ireland and Italy. As a lasting memory to our founders, Lynn and Steve Page, and as commemoration to their inspiration, we had a pair of benches erected on the Vine Road boundary.
Although just a short distance from bustling central London, the Vine Road pitch sits nestled into the leafy Common, now managed so wonderfully by Barnes Common Limited; a unique, almost rural setting for cricket matches in London. Until 2003 the Concorde used to halt play as it flew directly over the ground, players craning their necks, marvelling at its elegant design. This season we have other new aviators above – a pair of buzzards wing their way over the treetops, and aloft chiffchaffs sound-out for a mate as do blackcaps low down in the bushes surrounding the ground. It is a delight to play here – no other London cricket pitch can surely compare.
To wet our whistles – win or lose – our post-match destination and un-official ‘clubhouse’ is The Coach & Horses in the High Street where we disect the match, review crucial dropped catches, lbw decisions which were clearly ‘Not-Out’, those classic cover drives for ‘Four’, and those lofted ‘Sixes’ which joined the blackcaps and warblers in the boundary undergrowth. Conversation often returns to plans for a new Tour.
The club is currently fundraising to buy a ride on heavy roller to make the BCCC experience a little better so we have started a GoFundMe page. Any donations would be greatly appreciated especially by those who still harbour desire to score some runs.
NEW PLAYERS – COME & JOIN US
We are always looking to sign-up new players who are like-minded cricketers- playing to win, yet playing for fun. We have a more relaxed culture as a non-League club. Members can play each weekend or more occasionally, to fit into family/work commitments.
So if you are interested, contact our Club Captain, Johnny Ludlow: [email protected] or Treasurer Phil Hayes: [email protected] or President, Peter Eaton: [email protected].
Do come and join us as a new player or just come and spectate and enjoy the ground’s beautiful environment bathed in natural greenery and birdsong.