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Cricket
has been played on the village common at Chesham Bois for
over 100 years. The
ground is in a picturesque setting being completely enclosed
by beech and oak trees, some dating back many years. Teams
are eager to play in such pleasant surroundings.
The actual formation of the Club is still uncertain at the
present time but 1880 is the generally accepted date as in
the 1960's when thoughts first turned to the history, there
were ex-members and villagers who remembered the Club playing
cricket prior to 1900. It had been in existence a number of
years even then, playing the local villages in friendly matches.
From
the early 1900's until 1940, the team played in the Chesham
and District League, that featured many local village teams,
winning the League on a number of occasions.
Only
the two Great Wars stopped the club playing but it was quickly
reformed on both occasions at the cessation of hostilities
by many local enthusiasts who came mainly from the village
and Chesham Moor areas. The latter being part of the local
parish.
After
reforming in 1945, the Club played only in friendly matches,
fielding one Saturday eleven and two sides on most Sundays
when cricket was once again allowed to play Sunday matches
in the 1950's after opposition by the churches nationwide.
These
friendly matches were played for the next 50 years, despite
the availability of league cricket in the area, this being
purely a members preference to the friendly type of matches
bringing lasting friendships between players.
In
1997, a decision was taken by the Club to once again enter
into league cricket, this being the Mid-Bucks League which
features many teams from the High Wycombe district but still
retaining the Sunday friendly matches.
Although
a small village club the standard of play and wickets are
good and it has a reputation for friendliness and new members
are always welcomed to the club.
by
Bob Wood
Club Statistician and Historian
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