A Herefordshire village credited as the birthplace of women’s cricket has begun celebrating 100 years since the first matches that led to the creation of the Women’s Cricket Association.
In the summer of 1926, a group of friends gathered to play cricket in Colwall. The games proved so popular that the players decided a national association should be formed.
On 4 October that year, 19 people met in London, backed by 20 others, to pass a motion “that a central association for women’s cricket be formed”.
As the idea originated in Colwall, the village has hosted an annual cricket week ever since.
The celebration, which has a “swinging 1920s theme”, includes live music, fancy dress, community stalls and of course, plenty of cricket.
Lucy Merredy, a player at Colwall Cricket Club, said: “Every year for a week in August we celebrate here with women turning up, camping or staying nearby.
“There’s lots of comradery, games, and lots and lots of cricket, but also lots of other social events too.”
