Arriving at the village of Goldsborough, to catch their Division One match against Helperby, we saw not one but two red kites. Swooping down low above the car, wings outstretched, it was an extraordinary sight that never dulls. The second bird of prey was moments later as we parked up and stepped out. The clubhouse […]
Nidderdale Cricket League
Blubberhouses: Secluded village cricket by the River Washburn
Mark Doherty shares thoughts and match photos from a visit to Blubberhouses Cricket Club. Saturday and a last-minute change of plans. Cricket Yorkshire’s John Fuller was heading to Goldsborough for a top-of-the-table Theakston Nidderdale League Division One fixture and the Knaresborough Bed Race was taking place as well. Anyone who knows the area understands that […]
Harrogate Cricket Club: The next chapter
I wrote an article not so long ago about Glasshouses Cricket Club and their very real struggles to stay afloat for another season. One of the comments came from George Owram, joint chair at Harrogate Cricket Club, who shared his thoughts on loaning out juniors to Glasshouses, Pateley Bridge and others. It got the grey […]
Even having one of the best grounds in Yorkshire might not save Glasshouses
Recently, I spotted news on The Stray Ferret about the fact that Glasshouses Cricket Club in the Nidderdale Cricket League was in danger of folding. I was horrified. ‘No, this will not do!’ I said out loud to no-one in particular. Our cat looked up a little concerned. You see, Glasshouses Cricket Club is one […]
Nidderdale Cricket League West Tanfield and Killinghall tussle for title
For several years, I put together, on behalf of a Skipton-based publisher, the editorial side of an annual (bi-annual, initially) visitor guide to Yorkshire. It meant spending a lot of time in the Dales (well, somebody had to do it). Quickest access to Wensleydale, for me, was via the eastern outskirts of Ripon and the […]
Upper Wharfedale: Village cricket from the Yorkshire Dales
The last time we visited Grassington, we’d stumbled upon their 1940s weekend. I thought something was a bit odd when an armoured car parked up; soldiers jumping down to queue for a 99 with a flake. Our return was all about cricket at Upper Wharfedale Cricket Club, whose 1st XI are moving up the divisions, […]
Ben Rhydding joins Nidderdale Cricket League in 2021
Alex Miller, a committee member at Ben Rhydding Cricket Club, explains his club’s move to the Nidderdale Cricket League. Cricket clubs do change cricket leagues. It’s not revolutionary but there’s been two interesting examples with cricket clubs opting for something different in 2021. Ben Rhydding swapping Aire-Wharfe cricket for the Nidderdale Cricket League caught my […]
Cricket in October: Arthington Cricket Festival is 30 not out
Luke Seaborne celebrates the Yorkshire institution that sees cricket played outdoors into October in the Wharfedale village of Arthington, noting that this year saw it expand to other grounds. *** Arthington Cricket Club’s 30th annual cricket festival drew to a disappointing close recently, as the cancellation of the final fixture meant that not a ball […]
Nidderdale Cricket League: Seven in the slips at Knaresborough Forest
Knaresborough Forest Cricket Club was the destination recently for a Saturday afternoon exploration of a ground I’ve never been to. It came well recommended and was a chance to dip into the Nidderdale Cricket League. The significant bonus of returning to Knaresborough (one of Yorkshire’s most delightful towns) was no hard-sell either. Just before pulling […]