A Short History of Britwell Salome Cricket Club

The Club has its home in an old and peaceful village in South Oxfordshire called Britwell Salome. The village now known as Britwell Salome was one of many early settlements that formed close to the wells and springs along the Chilterns. Evidence of Roman habitation has been found in the village and records indicate that it was once divided into two Manors. In 1032 Emma, wife of King Canute, gave half of the village to the priory of Christ Church Canterbury. This half was called Britwell Prior. The other half was given to William de Sulham of Berkshire by William the Conqueror and was called Britwell Sulham. The two Manors were unified in 1865. It is only since this date that the village has been called Britwell Salome.

The Cricket Club was founded in 1928 by Fred Cooper BEM who moved to the village that year to work as head chauffeur to Major Whitaker, the then-owner of Britwell House. Early matches were played only on Saturdays because of religious objections to cricket being played on the Sabbath. This restriction was relaxed after the Second World War, but only on condition that play finished before the Evening Service commenced. At that time the team changed in a cow barn and went to away matches by horse and cart. The same horse, hooves padded up, was used to draw the heavy roller across the wicket.

Cricket was suspended during the war years when many members joined 'Dad's Army' - otherwise known as the Home Guard. The Club began to play again after the war, and the fixture list expanded as motorised transport aided mobility and matches were allowed on Sundays.

The Club's success and stability can be attributed to its Presidents and Vice-Presidents past and present, players and - above all - to Fred Cooper. Without the enthusiasm and dedication of Fred Cooper and Major Whitaker, it is doubtful whether there would have been any club. In more recent times the support of David and Lady Pamela Hicks has also been outstanding; while the Club owes a great debt to Richard Roadnight, President of the Club during much of the 1970s. Without his continuous generosity and support the Club could have found itself in serious financial difficulties. The Club is proud that Mrs. Daphne Roadnight is now the Patron of the Club, and very thankful for all the support given by Roadnight Farms in allowing the Club, for many years, to use their equipment for pitch preparation.

In 1978 the Club celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a match against Essex CCC. Essex brought a strong side to Britwell Salome including future England captain and selector Graham Gooch. The official souvenir programme is now a collector's item!

In 1980 the Club was forced to leave its pitch in the grounds of Britwell House. However, David Hicks came to the rescue with the offer of the field that now contains the 'Britwell Oval'. The members at that time, particularly the Club captain lan Fowler, worked incredibly hard to transform a field that had been used for pig-rearing - and which had 5 elm trees growing across what is now the square - into a cricket pitch. Their efforts bore fruit when the pitch was used for the first time in the 1982 season. Continuous hard work has gone into the pitch over the last 18 years to produce an attractive ground as good as any in the area.

The Club was saddened to lose their founder member, Fred Cooper, in 1989. However, this was after he had spoken at the dinner held to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Club he had founded. His speech was a very moving event for all who were present and was reported on in a fulsome tribute published in the Bulletin of The Cricket Society:

The first pavilion on the current ground was a converted roadworkers' hut. In 1994, with this 'hut' on its last legs, plans were laid to construct a new pavilion in keeping with the picturesque environment. David Hicks not only gave support with planning permission and in fund-raising applications but also, with his son. Ashley, provided plans and drawings. However, the Club would not have been able to proceed with building a new pavilion without the generosity of its current President, Thomas Kressner, who pledged a substantial donation towards its costs. This donation, together with a grant from The Foundation for Sport and the Arts, fund-raising by members and donations from residents of the village and friends of the Club, enabled construction to commence in autumn 1995. Club stalwart Colin Perry put in the most competitive tender and his company - aided by voluntary assistance from Club members - was responsible for bringing the elegant new pavilion into being. This latest stage in the evolution of the Club was marked on the 25th May 1996 when Thomas Kressner presided over the official opening of the new pavilion in the presence of some 80 guests, players and former players. Although brand new, the pavilion is built in traditional style, with the interior walls adorned with photographs and mementos illustrating the Club's local roots and illustrious history. The opening of these new facilities has written yet another chapter in its successful history, a chapter in which it will seek to maintain the true ethos of village cricket: a game played competitively but for fun!

Footnote: This history was originally compiled in 1978 by Joe Loutan with the assistance of Fred Cooper and Miss Biddy O'Sullivan. It was updated in 1996 and again in 2000.