Broad Chalke Sport

New Cricket Ground

The new cricket ground at Butt's Field, Bowerchalke has been prepared and was ready for the 2010 season. It is a satellite of the CVSC. There are grass wickets and an artificial turf wicket, net areas, car parking and there is a timber pavilion with showers and toilets. The original design for a new pavilion, estimated to cost about £100,000, has been set aside and a simpler timber pavilion has been built. A grant has been received from the Foundation of Sports & Arts and building work was postponed until after the 2013 season. There was a marquee bought from the Hampshire Rose Bowl serving as a temporary changing room from 2010 until September 2013. The target funding for the whole ground is £150,000. The temporary changing room has been demolished (25/09/2013) and the new pavilion was ready for the 2014 season.

For comments see The Chalke Valley Forum. Here are some progress photos 1 and progress photos 2 of the new ground preparation.

Read about progress in The Wisden Cricketer Magazine.

Chalke Valley CC took part in the nationwide NatWest Cricketforce Day on Saturday 17th April 2010. Games of cricket for the juniors were played at the New Ground in Bowerchalke, with a barbecue and Cricketforce T-shirts, and a new scorebox for the Club was built. Contact Phil Hill on 07967 826557, or dorsetstoves@yahoo.co.uk. It was a lovely hot, sunny day.

The Bunbury Cricket Club All Stars came to play during the gala opening weekend on Sunday 27th June 2010; beer tent, Pimms Bar, traction engines, fairground rides, craft and food stalls, children's entertainment; 12 noon; adults £6; children £3; lunch £55; contact Peter Bell; tel 01722 780752. It was a lovely hot, sunny day, lots of people. Graeme Hick hit a six off his first ball onto the marquee roof, then over the marquee and lost the ball and was eventually caught at Long Off by Richard Lamb off Mark Cuff. Jeff Thomson was also playing. Lots of stalls, classic cars and bikes, a steam engine and lots of money into the coffers of club and charity and a TV tent to watch Germany thrash England 4-1 in World Cup football. Never mind, England beat the Aussies at cricket in the one-day series to win the series 3-0 so far in a five match series. Here are some more photos of the Bunbury CC Match.

Cricket Club History

The South Wilts Church Magazine dated April 1910 says:-

"CRICKET CLUB. - A meeting was held on March 19th in the School for the purpose of forming a Cricket Club. The following were elected officers: president, Mr John Stevens; captain, C Martin; sub-captain, S Herrington; committee, A. White, Fred Gulliver, C. Jacobs, R. Salmon, G. Andrews; treasurer, F. Roper; secretary, Rev H. K. Brown."

The South Wilts Church Magazine dated July 1910 says:-

"CRICKET CLUB. - The season has proved so far a fairly successful one for the revived club, two matches having been won and two lost, and we hope as the two last matches were victories, that the team will also win the remaining fixtures. We have some promising young cricketers coming on, who will doubtless be of great assistance to the captain and the old and tried players. The results up to date are as follows: May 14th, Broadchalke versus Hurdcott (lost), at Hurdcott. June 1st, Broad Chalke versus Y.M.C.A. (lost), at Chalke. June 11th, Broad Chalke versus Woodyates (won), at Woodyates. June 18th, Broad Chalke versus Hurdcott (won), at Chalke."

The South Wilts Church Magazine dated August 1914 says:-

"THE FLOWER SHOW. - ... To the ladies who took part in the Cricket Match we owe a debt of gratitude. Their skill displayed was an admirable match to their kindness. Mr George Lidford (sic - should be Sidford) again placed a field at our disposal for a day, and we appreciate the privilege...."

Rifle Club History

The South Wilts Church Magazine dated April 1909 says:-

"RIFLE CLUB. - A picked team of members of the rifle club journeyed to Bowerchalke on March 18th to compete against the club there, and underwent defeat by 12 points. In the return match on March 23rd the Broadchalke club was victorious by the same number of points. We hope to arrange matches with other clubs in the neighbourhood."

The South Wilts Church Magazine dated July 1909 says:-

"THE RIFLE CLUB opened its outdoor range in Target Bottom on June 19th, when a fair number of members shot. Now that they have a good long distance range at which to shoot, the committee hope that more men will join the club. All particulars may be obtained from the secretary, Mr Filmer Witt."

The South Wilts Church Magazine dated December 1909 says:-

"THE Miniature Rifle Club has been meeting at its indoor range for some weeks, and has a fair number of members. It is expected that matches will be arranged before long with the clubs in neighbouring villages. Practice meetings are held each Wednesday, at 7 p.m., at Mr H. Witt's barn."

The South Wilts Church Magazine dated April 1910 says:-

"The Rifle Club have lately had two matches against the Bowerchalke club, in both of which they were defeated by 22 points. Better luck next time."

The South Wilts Church Magazine dated December 1911 says:-

"THE Committee of the Rifle Club organised a Dance, which was held in the School on November 20th, the proceeds being in aid of a fund for providing prizes for competition during the winter. There was a good attendance, and we understand that about 15/- was cleared. We should mention that the Rifle Club is now self-supporting as far as its ordinary working expenses are concerned, and that if any generous persons would like to give a stimulus to the Club by offering small prizes (in money or otherwise) to be competed for, the secretary, Mr Walter Witt, will gratefully receive them for that purpose."

There aren't any further mentions of the Rifle Club, but during the First World War I expect that many members left and rifle training would have happened when they enlisted.