HISTORY TRIP

By Brian Sanderson,

After a rainy Friday there was a change of plan. Orginally we plan to go to Darlington and District League however it was changed to visit clubs round York due to the weather forecast.

Myself and two Ron,s,Stansfield and Deaton,set off to Thirsk.On the way there was a very heavy rainstorm and it looked worse over Easingwold.However when we got to Thirsk the rain had passed and the match would start on time. The club was formed over 160 years ago. In the bar is a excellent picture of George Freeman who played for Yorkshire from 1865 to 1881.Also a plaque for Thomas Lord who found The Lords ground in London.He was born in Thirsk.

The match was Thirsk Seconds against York1V in The York and District Senior League.There are eight Divisions in the league.The ground is in the middle of the racecourse.York batted first and lost a wicket so we moved on.

Next ground was Stillingworth who were due to play Pickering Seconds but when we arrived no-body was around.There had been a large amount of rain in a short time. Another mystery.

Moving on to Sherrif Hutton which is situated next to a 14th Century Castle and had been owned by Richard 111.It was recently up for sale for 1.3 million pounds.
The rain caused a delay in the match and tea was taken early.So Ron Deaton and myself went one mile down the road to see Sherriff Hutton Bridge Seconds against Yapham.This club was established in 1949 and won the National Village Compertition in 2005.

Returning back to Sherriff Hutton the match had just stated with New Earswick batting.We were offered some jam scones with our cup of tea.They were very nice.

The next ground was New Earswick were the seconds were playing Londesborough Park seconds.New Earwick is a village that was built by Joseph Rowntree for his workers.

Next match was Rowntree Seconds against Carlton Towers Seconds.The pavilion has all the windows boarded up and is in poor state of repair.Nestle will not allow the player to repaint it and are looking to sell it to York Council.To see a ground in this state is heart-breaking.

Next grounds were situated next to each other at Heworth were the first were playing Easingwold.Across the road Heworth Thirds were playing University of York Staff.This was in the York Vale League Divison 2.

On the way back to Harrogate we called into Acomb were the seconds won the match against Fenners Seconds on the last ball of the match.This was at 7.35.Odds at arriving at a match like this must be quite high.

Another excellent trip with a lot of history to see and hear about.