The Charney and Denchworth Cricket Club
In 1956, a public meeting was held in Charney Chapel (now the Village Hall) to discuss the formation of a cricket club. Denchworth Cricket Club had recently folded and it was agreed that the Charney & Denchworth Cricket Club be formed.
The Club played on land owned by local farmer Basil Sharpus which was situated south of the village bridge and adjacent to the River Ock. A shepherd’s hut provided changing facilities and teas were served in the village hall or occasionally from a small caravan which was towed to the field. The last league match on this ground was against Kingston Bagpuize on 4th September, 1960. A ‘married v singles’ friendly match the following week brought use of the field to an end.
In 1961, the Club was offered a new ground in Denchworth on land owned by Mr F.S. Barratt. Officers and members levelled and seeded the ground. All matches in the 1961 season were played away until the ground was ready. Three years later a pavilion was built.
The club played on Saturdays and Sundays against neighbouring villages and additionally in the Vale Midweek League.
Information on when the Club folded is awaited. Records show one further match was played on the Denchworth ground in the mid 1980’s – a friendly match between members of Charney Youth Club and Charney villagers.
28/10/2016
Back Row Left to Right
Tony Terry (Denchworth), Herbert Cox, Denis Clarke (Denchworth), Ron Webb (Charney) Len New (Denchworth)
Front Row Left to Right
Gerald Clarke (Denchworth), Bill Clarke (Charney), Cyril Timms (Charney from Stanford in the Vale), Graham Shaw (Denchworth), Paul Haines (Denchworth), David Hart (Denchworth)
Back Row Left to Right
Johnson (Stanford in the Vale), Herbert Cox (Lovells Farm Hinton), Denis Clarke, Bill Clarke, Tony Terry
Front Row Left to Right
Ted Barrett (Denchworth), John Haines, Gerald Clark (Denchworth), Cyril Timms (Charney from Stanford in the Vale), Graham Shaw
Left to Right
Maureen Clarke, Jill Burson, Daphne Burson
Bill Clarke, Dick Hobson, Mr Burson
Scoring
Here is a sample of the Charney Cricket score card. The book of which is held by The History Group if anyone would like to see it.
North Wilts Herald – Friday 20 July 1934
DENCHWORTH BOYS v. CHARNEY BASSETT BOYS.
A large crowd watched a cricket match at Denchworth on Saturday evening between Denchworth Boys and Charney Bassett boys. Seven a side were played, and each team had two innings. The Denchworth boys won comfortably. In the first innings, W. Haines took 5 wickets tor 2 runs, and A. Haines one for 8. In the second innings R. Belcher had 3 for 5, C. New one for 3, and G. Barrett one for 4. Bowling for Charney in the first innings. S. Douglas took 3 wickets for 8 runs, and E. Clark 3 for 9.