Herefordshire birthplace of women's cricket celebrates 100 years

Birthplace of women's cricket celebrates centenary

A Herefordshire village credited as the birthplace of women's cricket has begun celebrating 100 years since the first matches that led to the creation of the Women's Cricket Association.

In the summer of 1926, a group of friends gathered to play cricket in Colwall. The games proved so popular that the players decided a national association should be formed.

On 4 October that year, 19 people met in London, backed by 20 others, to pass a motion "that a central association for women's cricket be formed".

As the idea originated in Colwall, the village has hosted an annual cricket week ever since.

The celebration, which has a "swinging 1920s theme", includes live music, fancy dress, community stalls and of course, plenty of cricket.

Lucy Merredy, a player at Colwall Cricket Club, said: "Every year for a week in August we celebrate here with women turning up, camping or staying nearby.

"There's lots of comradery, games, and lots and lots of cricket, but also lots of other social events too."

Merredy added: "The whole community really get involved and as a group of women who get together and enjoy cricket, it's massive.

"To see so many women of all ages and all abilities come here... the cricket week is really about celebrating cricket from the grass roots right up to international cricketers."

Cricket coach Hannah Skipworth said: "The ground is filled with women's cricketers and it's just great to see.

"To say that 100 years ago women's cricket started here and to say it's still going on is amazing and it's a great environment.

"We have training every Thursday and we get over 10 people every week then this week happens and we get hundreds of people.

"It's great for the club and it's great to show women's cricket is still thriving 100 years later."

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