New project on history and heritage of cricket in Derbyshire

The Cricket Derbyshire Foundation charity has received a grant of £72,200 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to create an oral history of cricket in Derbyshire.
Derbyshire legend Devon Malcolm pictured with former England captain Mike Gatting at a charity match in 2006.Derbyshire legend Devon Malcolm pictured with former England captain Mike Gatting at a charity match in 2006.
Derbyshire legend Devon Malcolm pictured with former England captain Mike Gatting at a charity match in 2006.

Led by a manager and local volunteers, the Oral History of Cricket in Derbyshire Project will focus on collecting audio-visual reminiscences about cricket at every level within the county, from grassroots to the Test arena.

It follows the successful completion of the county club’s first HLF project, which saw the collation of more than 1,500 images depicting the history of cricket within the county, from its origins in the 19th century to the modern day.

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The new oral history project will enable volunteers to capture the recollections and memories of former Test and county cricketers, spectators of all ages and from all backgrounds, club cricketers, women, disabled and partially-sighted cricketers, officials, scorers, umpires, groundstaff and all the other people who make up the fabric of the sport in Derbyshire.

The Cricket Derbyshire Foundation has a number of aims and objectives, one of which is to teach the public more about the history and heritage of cricket in the county.

This project, which forms part of HLF’s Sporting Lives campaign, will offer, for the first time, an opportunity to hear insights into the game of cricket from those who play or have played the game, and also from those who watch or participate in other ways.

Project manager David Griffin said: “We are delighted to have the support of the HLF, and we’re really looking forward to hearing not just from the greats of Derbyshire cricket, but also from the unsung heroes throughout the county who make such a significant contribution to the game.

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“We are now looking for volunteers to support the project. We’re looking for people with a story to tell. Of course, we want to hear from Devon Malcolm, Bob Taylor and Michael Holding, the greats of Derbyshire cricket, but just as important will be recording memories from the stalwarts of club cricket in Derbyshire, even including those who made the teas.”

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