Cricket thrives at Bamburgh

 By Mike Latham

There’s barely been a week gone by without a television programme on Bamburgh over the past few months.

Whether it’s archaeological remains, a tour around the castle, the Farne islands and lighthouses, the Hairy Bikers dining on the beach, the bravery of Grace Darling or an episode of Countryfile then Bamburgh features large.

Amidst this idyllic scene cricket prospers thanks to the dedication of the locals and Bamburgh Castle CC is in a good place, literally and metaphorically.

Secretary Billy Wright tells me that his request for fixtures from touring sides has reached record numbers and that the squad of players from which Bamburgh can select players is around the 20-mark, with several more available at various times.

The club plays Sunday friendly games from late April to September, most at home, occasionally away, plus a few midweek fixtures. The matches are played in the same format, 35-overs per side.

Visitors to the area fancying a game or to umpire are requested to get in touch and this friendly club will do their best to accommodate you.

Two umpiring friends of mine are donning their white coats for games this summer while on holiday.

The club has continued to make strides over the winter. A new website has been developed (www.bamburghcricket.co.uk) and an electronic scoreboard now graces the ground.

Long-serving scorer Dave Parmley still scores conventionally with his trusty scorebook but now keeps the scoreboard easily updated instead of having to ask the batting team members to change the tins after every over.

And the lovely clubhouse, which doubles up as the village hall, is back selling tea, coffee, and cake at modest prices after two years of being unable to operate during the pandemic.

The home team are now neatly kitted out in distinctive black and amber caps and jumpers and the attention to detail even stretches to the boundary flags which have the castle emblem.

A full fixture list has again been arranged and last Sunday the visitors were friendly local rivals Tillside, from the village of Etal.

This was already Bamburgh’s fourth game of the season and having won their opening three fixtures, the home side were in good spirits.

Club volunteers spent the morning getting the square ready and marking out the boundary. As part of their agreement with the landowner, they mow the green twice a week, to a very high standard.

A large marquee had occupied part of the outfield on the Saturday for a wedding, but this was hastily taken down on the Sunday morning.

The day was fine but chilly and a decent-sized crowd attended the start. Some are local devotees, many of whom pay their annual vice=presidents fee which ensures the club’s survival.

Others were tourists and day-trippers making their way to and from the glorious beach behind the dunes.

Even those not of a cricketing persuasion stop a while and soak up the scene, getting out their mobile phones or cameras to take a picture or two of quintessentially English scenes, cricket on the village green to the backdrop of a magnificent castle.

You can park on the boundary edge, bring a picnic and a folding chair, and bring the family and the dog. There’s plenty for everyone and for those whose attention is elsewhere, the pubs and cafes of Bamburgh and the award-winning beach and dunes are a short stroll away.

Bamburgh have a decent side these days and are in the habit of winning cricket matches. It’s a good habit to get into. Their side, captained by Andrew Wright, Billy’s son, has the proverbial mixture of youth and experience.

Tillside have developed a lot of players through their excellent youth programme and are a shining example of how a village club in a sparsely populated rural area can prosper given the dedication and direction of a band of committed volunteers. Last season their First XI won promotion to the top division of the Northumberland & Tyneside Cricket League.

Unfortunately, on this occasion, many of their best players were missing and they suffered a chastening defeat by 141 runs. Dave Parmley has already updated the website with his entertaining match report.

Bamburgh openers Harry Sutherland (74) and Cam Nicholls (51) compiled a stand of 100 which provided the backbone of their side’s 194 for 3. Tillside subsided to 53 all out in reply. Disappointingly one-sided but still a good occasion with the scene one to savour.

For a few hours you can slip back in time to when cricket was fun and part of a simpler way of life.