In news that saddened me, I learnt that Glasshouses Cricket Club had withdrawn from the Theakston Nidderdale Cricket League – due to a lack of players.
Importantly, the cricket club will not fold but for now, it has no players and no fixtures. Mothballed if you will but with future plans that we’ll come to.
We’ve been here before when my 2023 article ‘Even having one of the best grounds in Yorkshire might not save Glasshouses’ helped (along with others) to raise awareness and swell numbers short-term.
Unfortunately, it sounds like the uptick in fortunes was temporary; a perilous state by virtue of having no juniors and a single team with a lean squad. Favours were repeatedly called in to get an XI out.
On the field, Glasshouses 1st XI finished eighth in Division 5 and in what transpired to be their final Nidderdale League match in late September, they lost at home to Birstwith by 11 runs.
It was a notable match for a number of reasons; not least the fact that long-time Glasshouses stalwart Amy Burton opened the batting (scoring 57) with Georgina Houseman.
When was the last time there were two female cricketers opening the batting in Senior league cricket? I’ve never seen it before. There was also Poppy Burton turning out for Glasshouses to add a family dimension.
The run chase might have fallen short but earlier, Houseman (2-22), Amy Burton (4-37) and Poppy Burton (1-25) had shared seven wickets.
Burton finishes her Glasshouses career with 3,121 runs and 162 wickets for Glasshouses 1st XI – and that’s not cup games either. The writing was on the wall perhaps for this village club when she chose to transfer to Sessay over winter, having previously juggled playing commitments between both clubs.
Amy made her Glasshouses debut (if Play-Cricket is right) back in April 2003 when there were three Burtons in the line-up (Amy, Jane and Christine) in this Nidderdale Ladies Evening League game.
Guess who the opposition were? Birstwith, of course. Full circle of a sort.
For Glasshouses Women’s 1st XI back in the day (until 2018), Amy scored 5,215 runs at 45. She has served a number of clubs with distinction with bat and ball and is now vice-captain at Sessay Emeralds for 2025.
Another name caught my eye too. I had watched Fayaaz Hamdard make his debut; a short, well-built Afghani cricketer with a round-arm action bowl and brisk pace. He finished 2024 with 24 wickets at an average of 17 and transferred to Goldsborough.
Enough reminiscing.
You want to know if this spectacular cricket ground will be left to rack and ruin. Not a chance.
Ripley Cricket Club’s juniors play at Glasshouses on evenings and their third team are also down to use the ground this year too while there are plans for some friendlies.
Thoughts have already turned to a reboot for 2026.
Callum Bonny, Glasshouses’ Secretary and wicketkeeper told me: “We’re trying to get into the Harrogate & District Evening League. There’s not many teams that play evening league around us so we’re hoping we can draw some players in and join that.”
For now, players will have transferred to or joined other Nidderdale League clubs on loan to ensure they have cricket opportunities for this season. The timing of mid-April wasn’t ideal but I also understand the desire to hold off a big decision like this in case it doesn’t need to come to it.
Ken, the groundsman at Glasshouses, was in Australia at the time of the decision but as he lives on the ground, it’s hard to see him not still being involved.
Cricket clubs come and cricket clubs go. There seems to be a few examples of late that I’ve written about like Bullcroft Main (saved), Scarborough (withdrew 1st XI) and Rotherham Town (pulled teams out of league and future undecided).
Glasshouses is a beautiful example of a village cricket ground and probably resonates the most as it reminds me of my own upbringing. The team in Somerset where I first played league cricket folded and the ground that held such fond memories was an overgrown tangle when I returned.
In contrast, there will still be cricket at Glasshouses in 2025 sporadically. I will keep an ear out on those mooted friendlies. It would certainly make a special place to come on tour.
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📸 Thanks to Mark / Caught Light Photography for the photos – you can read his blog post But to me it’s a sanctuary.
Want to read more?
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This is so very sad. I do hope a way to have a true Glasshouses side is found. It is such a wonderful place/ground and Ken is a wonderful example of a dedicated Dales cricket person, who always has a smile on his face. More power to your elbow Glasshouses!
Thanks Hodgy. Never good to see a team pull out of a league but fingers crossed, it’s a time to reset and rebuild. Glad the ground is being used.
Having played against Glasshouses Ladies for years in the Nidderdale Ladies League, I’m very sad to read this news. I played for Harrogate Ladies, and the ground at Glasshouses was easily my favourite. Whilst fielding deep along the wall, I’d even identified which house I wanted to buy in the village! My favourite was the Charles Spence Cup, which was a knockout tournament for the Ladies played on a Sunday. For once, the Ladies played a longer format, invited league umpires, Uncle Ken swept the strip and repainted the crease, and most importantly, a proper cricket tea! We were living the dream – and finished up in The Birch Tree, reliving every ball that was bowled and every run made. Long lasting friendships were made. Great to reminisce, and can only wish that cricket can return to Glasshouses; a superb venue in Nidderdale 🤩
Thanks for this comment Mel, I always like to hear from readers and especially with your knowledge of Glasshouses.
Handy advanced house-buying while fielding!