Recently I read that the ground of Patterdale CC was considered by some to be the most attractive in The Lake District. Thus it was not coincidence that whilst my wife and I were staying in The Lakes at the weekend that our Saturday morning outing took us to the area south of Lake Ullswater. Having parked up in Glenridding we walked the short distance to Patterdale Village passing the ground on our right. Heavy overnight rain had cleared and the forecast was for a fine day with sunny spells. The ground did not look ready for business but there was still plenty of time before play was due to commence.
From Patterdale a path takes you round the south end of Ullswater and opens up a most attractive walk on the lake's eastern shore. We followed the clearly defined path for about 45 minuts then retraced our steps to Patterdale and the cricket ground but with only about half an hour before wickets were due to be pitched the scene was unchanged. A closer inspection revealed a very soggy outfield and it was pretty clear that there would be no play.
A noticeboard by the pavilion (above) showed plans for a new structure and an appeal to raise £250,000 is nearing its target. The match, which the league website confirmed had indeed been cancelled, would have been an Eden Valley Cricket League Division 1 meeting between the first teams of Patterdale and Stainton. The league table shows Patterdale having a rough time of things with minus two points to their name which suggests that they have been forced to concede at least one match. Stainton are mid table in a division headed by Appleby Eden.
From Patterdale we followed the Kirkstone Pass to Windermere and headed north through the busy streets of Ambleside. Quite by chance we alighted on Rydal Park, the ground of Ambleside CC and what a gem. Better judges than me have thought the same as this plaque shows.
Our journey had taken us from The Eden Valley League to The Westmorland League and Ambleside were playing Morecambe based Trimpell, Division 4.
We fell into conversation with a lady busy with some knitting but not too busy to answer our questions about the match and she explained that the club was now reduced to one team and to put out an eleven on Saturday had had to rely on some who might have thought their playing days were over. These included her husband. The overnight rain had slowed the outfield and while we were there no fours were hit. Trimpell were recovering from a bad start in which they had lost three early wickets but managed only 102 for 8 in their 40 overs, a target Ambleside achieved with six wickets and five overs to spare, a result that leaves them top of the league. Our very helpful informant turned out to be i/c teas and a glance inside the pavilion showed a handsome spread awaiting the players.
As well as the Wisden accolade Rydal Park also features in Laurence Griffith's lovely book of photographs, 'From The Boundary's Edge'. The photograph on page 9 of the book was taken before the erection of the pavilion shown on my photo above. Griffith's collection also includes pictures of Coniston CC and lovely that looks too. A return to Cumbria is on my agenda.
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