THE HISTORY OF IPSDEN CRICKET CLUB
(1864 to present)

Ipsden Cricket Club owes its creation to Edward Anderdon Reade (1807–1886), whose family have owned the Ipsden estate since the 16th century(ix). Mr Reade spent many years in the East India Company Civil Service, before retiring in 1860, and returning to England to take up residence at Ipsden House. An entry in Mr Reade's memoirs, circa 1864(i), states that he "put aside one of the meadows for the boys to have as a cricket ground, to play with the village boys". The boys he refers to, were his sons Arthur Edward, Lawrence Edward and Bernard Edward Reade. It is believed that it is on that very meadow that Ipsden Cricket Club still plays its matches (pictured right). An article published in Jackson's Oxford Journal in 1866(xiv) , references a cricket match played at Ipsden, between Wallingford Junior Cricket Club and an Ipsden XI. The Ipsden side was selected by Lawrence Edward Reade. Considering the nature of the opposition and the age of Lawrence (20), the Ipsden side would have probably been just an informal youth XI.  The article states that the Ipsden side won the match by 8 wickets, and after were 'entertained in a very hospitable manner' by Edward Anderdon Reade, Esq.

The next documented evidence of cricket at Ipsden is not until the 1890s, where records exist of an annual fixture against Wallingford, played at both Wallingford (in the Kinecroft) and at Ipsden (at Braziers Park).  The earliest record of these matches shows a game taking place in 1891(xv). In this match Ipsden scored 52 and 97 for 5, on their way to victory. A match report(xvi) for this fixture in 1900 states that Ipsden were now a 'formidable eleven',  and had won this fixture several times in succession. Further matches at the time are recorded against Dorchester (The Arding Challenge Cup, 1894), Littlemore (The Fielding Gold Cup, 1894), Warborough (1899) and Brightwell (1900).

The club appears to have benefited from the involvement of Alfred Charles Arding, Esq. (born 1858, Wallingford). Arding, who owned the Braziers Park estate, was a prominent  figure in Wallingford society. As well as his family owning the Wells Brewery, he was a Justice of the Peace and Capt. and C.O. of the Wallingford Reservists. A keen sportsman, he was also President of the Wallingford Athletic Club, involved in Wallingford Hockey Club, and captained Wallingford Cricket Club. During the 1890s, Ipsden's home matches were played at Braziers Park, and Arding himself regularly opened the batting. The club has in it's possession the A. C. Arding Village Cricket Cup (pictured, right). It appears to be the prize awarded to the victors of an annual contest between a combined Ipsden and Checkendon side, versus amalgamated local rivals South Stoke and Woodcote. Results of matches played between 1892 until 1896 are engraved upon it. In more recent year the cup was used as the trophy for the Ipsden CC vs. President's XI fixture (1998–2005). Jack Hatt, who's father (Walter Hatt) played in the 1893 fixture, wrote to a local newspaper in 1989(iii), recalling his fathers involvement in the match, together with the scorecard. This article can be viewed by clicking here. The scorecard records that Ipsden and Checkendon won the match by an innings and 6 runs. A. C. Arding himself opened the batting and scored 10 runs, however it is apparent from the scorebook that it was the return of Walter Hatt and J. Frewin, with 10 and 8 match wickets respectively, which appears to have won the contest.

There is also a literary reference to cricket at Ipsden, in a book called "Charles Reade, as I knew him" (1903)⁽ⁱⁱ⁾. Charles Reade (1814–1884) was brother to Edward Anderdon Reade, the club's founder.

In this book, a passage is written by Arthur Edward Reade recalling that his uncle Charles was once pressed into playing for Ipsden CC.

"My father converted one of the meadows at Ipsden into a cricket ground"

"On one occasion the village club was one short, and we pressed Uncle Charles into the service."

 "Everyone remembers his cloth boots and with kid tips and his baggy pantaloons. Well, he wore them on this occasion, and a remarkable and grotesque figure he looked, when he took off his coat and went into wicket"

 "He went in last and was (not) out in twelve runs, the Ipsden Club winning with a few runs to spare"

 "My father (Edward Anderdon Reade) went to congratulate him, whereupon he said in a solemn way : "I am still not-out."

 "Twenty years ago I made fifty-two and was not-out for Magdalen!"

Documentary evidence of cricket at Ipsden in the first half of the 20^th century is rather thin on the ground.

An article was published in the Henley Standard^(viii) in 1989 on the occasion of the clubs 125^th anniversary. The article described a match in that took place in 1930 between Ipsden and Woodcote.

(L–R) Back Row: Fred Butcher, G Hasthorpe, B Collis, Allaway, H Anderson, R Higgs, D Slade. Middle Row: Allaway, Tullock, Webb. Front Row: B Allaway, Eddie Burton, Osman

The contest itself appears to have been a little one-sided, with Ipsden's opening batsmen scoring 100 runs each, before both retiring. Worse was to follow for Woodcote, as they were dismissed for a total of just 8 runs in reply. The full article ("125 Not Out") can be viewed here

The photograph (left) is reputed to date from the 1940's. It is noticeable that the wicket keeper is wearing gloves and leg-guards, suggesting some formality to proceedings.

The same Henley Standard article also records that the club was active in 1947, 1950, 1960 and 1961. The source for this statement is not presently known, and these fixtures could be either 'one-offs' or full seasons.

There is reference to a cricket being played between Ipsden and Emmer Green in 1947^(x), but again, the source might be the same single fixture as referenced in the Henley Standard.

Scorecards^(vii) exist for two matches played between Ipsden and Hailey in 1959 and 1960. Surprisingly, there also exist detailed match reports for these two games. The match reports were written by young Hailey schoolboy Vaughan Williams (Ipsden CC's current Club President). Vaughan believes that these matches were played as part of a formal set of fixtures, which continued until about 1963.

Those that only knew our former president Dan Reade in his latter years, might be surprised to read the following extract from Vaughan's 1960 match report.

"Maj. Dan Reade made an astonishing catch at first slip, jumping high to his left, to catch the gallant Bill Perkins"

It is understood that the cricket club then lay dormant for a number of years, with the ground being landscaped for use as a football pitch from 1979.

In early 1983, a few local villagers, lead by Richard Raynor, wanted to bring back cricket to the village, and set about resurrecting the club.

The following notice was circulated, hoping to recruit a few players.

Encouraged by a favourable response, arrangements were made to play a small number of fixtures against a mix of established local cricket sides, and informal XI's.

With financial assistance from Vaughan Williams, the club was able to purchase a few essential items of essential equipment, in readiness for the inaugural season. A borrowed mower and a small, very old roller was put to use, and a 'playable' cricket strip was created.

The season started with matches against local sides South Stoke and Crowmarsh, and then a fixture against the White House, Ipsden's local pub (results unrecorded).

The White House was to become the social and administrative centre of the club for the next 14 years, with  by generous support provided by landlord Mike Furmage and his wife Julie^[x]. The White House also provided Ipsden with several new recruits over the years, including, in that first season, Phil Houseman, who has gone on to make over 300 appearances for the club, and is currently the all-time leading runs scorer, record catcher and second highest wicket taker.

A further five matches were played during the inaugural season, however, the search for a victory was proving elusive, having lost all of the games played so far (usually before tea, which resulted in a short over thrash being played after).

The match against the Household Cavalry Regiment XI (arranged by Maj. Henry Hayward), also provided an additional 2 bags of cricket equipment which were donated to us by the opposition. The fixture also introduced Steven Hyett to Ipsden, who umpired for the club for many years thereafter. 

Ipsden finally broke their winning duck in the last game of the season, defeating the Open University XI by 91 runs.

The playing squad for the 1983 season included:

With the season over, an inaugural meeting^(v) was held to formalise the clubs structure. Nominations for offices were accepted. Quite surprisingly for a club with such limited membership, it was felt necessary to elect an "Under 18s Representative" to office. A very young Charlie Cox was duly appointed. 'Young' Charlie is currently clubs all-time leading appearance maker (with over 315 appearances), second highest in the all-time runs table and holds the record for the most runs in a season (714).

A particular matter of concern at the meeting was the state and size of the current 'pavilion' – a very small, rapidly deteriorating, wooden hut, that had definitely seen better days (below).

In the short term, the club had to make do, and thanks to a small loan from Oxfordshire County Council, the building was made bearable.

By 1990, the club had sufficient resources to go on their first tour. Captain Stuart Kennedy was appointed Tour Sec, and organised three fixtures in Somerset, playing East Hunstspill CC, Old Pilotonions CC (also on tour) and Roadwater CC.

A touring tradition was quickly established, and down the years we have played fixtures in Dorset, Nottinghamshire, Shropshire, The Isle of Wight, and have repeatedly visited the west country.

Incredibly, in 1992 Ipsden Cricket Club featured on the front pages of several national newspapers.

Between 1989 and 1995, Ipsden had organised an annual charity/fund raising cricket match against a side provided by local resident (and club Vice-President) Kevin Maxwell, son of the media and publishing tycoon Robert Maxwell^[xii]. On the occasion of the 1992 match, national press and TV (including The Daily Mail, The Daily Telegraph, Sky TV and Central TV) descended on the ground, eager to record Kevin playing (following the collapse of Robert Maxwell's empire, Kevin had just become the biggest personal bankrupt in UK history, with debts of over £400 million, and faced charges of fraud).

Ipsden's astute treasurer David Horton charged the press £50 for the privilege of recording Mr Maxwell during the game. Some refused and attempted to photograph Kevin from the road using telephoto lenses – that was until it was decided to erect some screens, which unfortunately blocked their view!

Those that had made the £50 donation were able to see Jerry Swinburn dismissing Kevin for a golden-duck! Eagle-eyed observers may of course recognise Charlie Cox behind the stumps from the press clipping below.

In October 1992, a sub-committee was formed (Stuart Kennedy, Bob Mullins, Adrian Bollon and Bill Parkinson) to advance the plans to construct a new pavilion building.

By September 1994 (after a couple of re-applications), planning permission was granted by South Oxfordshire County Council for a new pavilion building. By the spring of 1995, the site had been cleared, and the concrete foundations laid, paving the way for the erection a wooden shell.

Construction was being directed by Bob Mullins, whose hard work and dedication was absolutely vital to the project.

By September 1995, Bob oversaw the next crucial phase, the erection of the roof.

Unfortunately, especially considering Bob's extensive experience in the construction industry, the roof was fitted backwards!^[xiii]. Although Bob wasn't actually present when it was being fitted, it is still something that he is not allowed to forget to this day.

Over the next five years, due to a modest membership and limited cash-flow, progress was slow. However, by 1997 the kitchen was installed, the two changing rooms completed and the first toilet plumbed in.

Over the next few years, the work was completed piece-meal, until in 2003 the club felt that the building was in a suitable state to be officially opened.

To mark the occasion, it was decided to hold a grand "Pavilion Opening Day". The day was chosen to coincide with the regular Ipsden CC vs. The Presidents XI fixture, and past players and friends were duly invited to take part in the event (either as players or spectators).

Those attending included: Steve and Edna Lambourne , David and Helen Osborn, Kevin and Frankie Jacklin, Bill and Jo Parkinson, Tim Streatfeild, Adrian Bollon, Andy Lock as well as committee members Bob Mullins and Malcolm Pitts who donned their whites for one final time.

We were also especially delighted to welcome back our 'founding father', Richard Raynor, who having been so heavily involved in the resurrection of the club, moved away from the village in 1984.

Fund-raising has always been an integral part of the structure of Ipsden Cricket Club. One particular event that has always been very successful is the club's Sportsman's Evening, which has been held irregularly at Ipsden since 1999. The focus of the evening is an after-dinner speech given by a prominent sporting figure. Such events have featured the following sporting celebrities coming to Ipsden:

The club has also seen several other famous faces attending matches over the years, including: Marianne Faithfull, Anton Rodgers, and most recently Robert Powell.

If you can help us with any further information on the history of Ipsden Cricket Club (or can correct of any inaccuracies), we'd be delighted to hear from you. You can email the club by clicking on the icon below.

chris.hughesdon@ipsdencc.co.uk

Notes

1. The year that Ipsden Cricket Club was established (whether informally or formally) is widely understood to be 1864. Apparently there is reference to the date in Mr Reade's diary, which is being investigated.

2. "Charles Reade, as I knew him" by John Darent Blake Coleman. Published by London, Treherne & company in 1903.

3. Jack Hatt letter to the Henley Standard. Referenced in the Henley Standard dated Aug 1989. This article can be viewed by clicking here.

4. For reasons not known, this match does not appear to have been engraved on the cup.

5. The Inaugural meeting was held on Thursday 29^th September 1983, at the Village (Coronation) Hall. Minutes are available – need to insert links.

6. intentionally left blank

7. 1959 Scorecard (part 1, 2) and Match Report (part 1, part 2). 1960 Scorecard (part 1, 2) and Match Report (part 1, 2).

8. Referenced in the Henley Standard dated Sept 1989.   This article can be viewed by clicking here.

9. Actual year: 1581. Referenced in: Dictionary of National Biography. Published 2001 by Adamant Media Corporation. ISBN:1402170645

10. Referenced in the website: http://www.highdown.reading.sch.uk/emmergreen/crick.htm. The authors (Emmer Green Residents Association) were unfortunately unable to establish the origin of this reference.

11. Mike and Julie moved to Wales around 1997, and shortly after the pub closed for business. For their generous support, Mike and Julie were made Vice-President of the club.

12. Kevin Maxwell lived, until 2005, in nearby Mouslford Manor.

13. Keen observers will note that the roof is in fact still on backwards!

14. Jackson's Oxford Journal, Saturday, July 28, 1866; Issue 5909, pg 8.

15. Jackson's; Oxford Journal, Saturday, May 23, 1891; Issue 7209, pg 6.

16. Jackson's Oxford Journal, Saturday July 14, 1900; Issue 7687, pg ?