Welcome to Bearsted Cricket Club - Four Centuries of Cricket on The Green

Bearsted will start the 2010 season in The Kent Regional League having left the invicta league. Hopefully, this will allow the club to continue to develop and move forward.

Founded in 1749 and situated in the heart of Kent, Bearsted CC is one of the oldest cricket clubs in the country. We have also now enjoyed 260 years of uninterrupted cricket on The Green.

The following article appeared in The General Advertiser on Friday 11th August 1749:

"In the Artillery Ground, Finsbury Square, London, Monday next at 1:00 pm Eleven Gentlemen of Bearsted, Kent, play against the Gentlemen of London, for one guinea per man of their own money exclusive of all other by-bets which may be considerable.

The Gentlemen having beaten the neighbouring parishes and thereby themselves inferior to few induces them to come so far to play."

This article infers that the club could in fact have been founded earlier than the official year of 1749!

Situated near Maidstone in the heart of Kent and close to the Weald (“Cricket was born and nurtured in the Weald, as all historians are well aware” E W Swanton CBE) we play in the local Invicta Cricket League, which boasts a host of clubs also with extensive histories (for example Sheldwich and Meopham). Additionally, the league includes Linton Park CC, twice winners of the English Village Cricket Championship and Leeds & Broomfield CC whose ground overlooks Leeds Castle (often described as “the lovliest castle in the world”).

We consider ourselves very privileged to play for a club that has such a long history and has boasted appearances on The Green from the likes of Sir Pelham Warner, Frank Woolley, Lord Tennyson, “Tich” Freemen and Alfred Mynn (the pioneer of overarm bowling). In more recent years, we have played host to the local “pub team” Lashings which includes the former West Indian captain, Richie Richardson.

We run five senior sides, a 1st XI and 2nd XI who play league cricket on Saturdays, a league Sunday XI, friendly Sunday XI and an evening Twenty20 side. We also provide coaching from U9's (years 2,3 and 4) through to U15's. New members are always welcome so please follow the links for contact details.



CODE OF CONDUCT FOR MEMBERS AND GUESTS
(Extract from Club Constitutional Rules 2008)

All members and guests of The Club shall:
o Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person within the context of cricket;
o Treat everyone equally and not discriminate on the grounds of age, gender, disability, race, ethnic origin, nationality, colour, parental or marital status, religious belief, class or social background, sexual preference or political belief;
o Not condone, or allow to go unchallenged, any form of discrimination if witnessed;
o Display high standards of behaviour;
o Promote the positive aspects of cricket e.g. fair play;
o Encourage all participants to learn the laws of cricket and play within them, respecting the decisions of match officials;
o Actively discourage unfair play, rule violations and arguing with match officials;
o Recognise good performance not just match results;
o Place the well-being and safety of young people above the development of performance;
o Ensure that activities are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of the individual;
o Respect young people’s opinions when making decisions about their participation in cricket;
o Not smoke, drink or use banned substances whilst actively working with young people in The Club;
o Not provide young people with alcohol when they are under the care of The Club;
o Follow ECB guidelines set out in the “Safe Hands – Cricket’s Policy for Safeguarding Children’ and any other relevant guidelines issued;
o Report any concerns in relation to a young person, following reporting procedures laid down by the ECB;
o Members must wear suitable kit. Matches:- white shirt and/or jumper and white trousers. Training:– white shirt, white trousers or dark shorts or dark tracksuit trousers, as agreed with the coach/team manager;
o Members must pay any fees for training or events promptly; and
o In addition to the above, all Club Officers and Appointed Volunteers will hold relevant qualifications and be covered by appropriate insurance.