The Hambledon Club

It’s central purpose to "honour the memory and great achievements of the Hambledon Club of 1750-1796."

During the "Glory Days" of Hambledon cricket, more than two hundred years ago, the cricket was funded by an aristocratic dining club.

Following an exploratory meeting in October 1998, the Hambledon Club has been revived and its first modern luncheon was held at the Bat and Ball Inn on Saturday 10 April 1999.

At the luncheon, the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 21 September 1796 – famously that "No Gentlemen were present" - were proposed by Christopher Bazalgette (The Cricketer) and seconded by Mr Alistair MacLennan who is the curator of the Bradman Museum in Bowral, Australia. These were approved.

The meeting unanimously agreed to hold the level of subscription at the 1796 rate of three guineas – a remarkable bargain, perhaps unique in the annals of inflation.

The meeting approved the committee for 1999:

President Ashley Mote

Treasurer Neil Jenkinson

Steward Dick Orders

Secretary Dave Allen

In addition, it was agreed that the Chairman of Hambledon Cricket Club should be an ex officio appointment. The position is currently held by Chris de Mellow. Mr de Mellow addressed the meeting and suggested that were the club to expand its ambitions, it might look to support the development of youth cricket at Hambledon.

The club approved the election of Richard Nyren as Honorary Eternal President. Bob Beagley of Hambledon Cricket Club, and a direct descendent of an original member, was elected Honorary Life Vice-President.

The Rt. Reverend Lord Sheppard had sent his best wishes, but declined the invitation to become Honorary Chaplain of the club. However David Brown who was in attendance offered his services which were gratefully accepted. Mr Brown agreed to prepare an appropriate Grace for the club.

The following were elected as posthumous members:

Harry Altham; John Arlott; FS Ashley-Cooper; Colin Barrett; JM Barrie; ‘Silver Billy’ Beldham; Lord Frederick Beauclerk; Tom Brett; Desmond Eagar; CB Fry; Gilbert Jessop; Brian Johnston; EV Lucas, David Harris; Arthur Haygarth; John Nyren; Rev J Pycroft; John Small snr; John Small jnr; EM Sprot; ‘Lumpy’ Stevens; Tom Sueter; Wilf Wadham; Edward Whalley-Tooker; WR Wright.

The President invited further suggestions. Mr Bazalgette proposed Cecil Paris. The list remains open.

In addition to Lord Sheppard, messages were received from:

John Bromley (Chairman, Lord’s Taverners); Lord Cowdrey; Rachel Heyhoe Flint; Rt Hon J Major MP; Mrs Christine Pardoe.

The following members sent their apologies:

Clive Barnett; Peter Baxter; Chris Box-Grainger; Roy Clarke; Mike Gauntlett; Keith Hayhurst; Victor Malik; Alistair MacLennan; Chris Turner; John R Williams.

Following the luncheon the members toasted, in the traditional manner:

'The Queen’s Mother’;

‘Her Majesty the Queen’;

‘The Hambledon Club’;

‘Cricket’;

‘the immortal memory of Madge’; and

‘the President’.

The Secretary:

Miss Penny Taylor 0117 373 2997

Email: pennytaylo@aol.com (yes, the R is missing!)

(NB Penny stepped down in 2010 and Lou Allen replaced her as Club Secretary in that year.)

Return to Welcome