|
A new
era in Snitterfield sport began on Sunday, 12th September 2004 with
the formation of the Snitterfield Sports Club.
Former Warwickshire cricketer Neil Smith and Mrs Heather Pearson,
daughter-in-law of Randolph Pearson of the Pearson Trust, cut the
ribbon to officially open the new Club, which is an amalgamation of
various sports clubs in the village.
Bowls, cricket, football and tennis have all joined forces to create
a sports club accessible to all, at the very heart of this friendly
Warwickshire village.
Randolph Pearson built Wolverton Grange in 1910 and set about the
development of the Snitterfield cricket team. His love affair with
the great game combined with his generosity saw him donate land to
the village in the 1930's, which has since been administered by the
Pearson Trust.
Cricket flourished
through to the late 1960's, but was in decline when, in 1973, the
club was disbanded. However, recently, the club has been re-established
and a new square has been laid on the village's playing field and
will be ready to play on next season. Over the past few years, all
games have been played away from home, but the experience gained has
been of great benefit to the team, who have begun to enjoy some success
on the field. Some 30 players participated this season, with the majority
from the village.
Bowls came to its present
site in 1974 as the interest in cricket waned, with the old cricket
pavilion making the perfect clubhouse. The many improvements made
since have enabled the club to host county matches for both men and
ladies, and the club is recognised within the English Bowls Association.
Tennis came to the site as
a result of a Millennium Project, instigated and organised by John
Parnham, together with his father, Bill. After a financial struggle
to overcome the funding of the two courts, thanks to the backing of
local people, businesses, parish and district councils, awards for
all, and the government backed Sportsmatch scheme, the game is now
thriving in Snitterfield. So much so that November will see the switching
on of floodlights to enable more tennis to be played. The club has
the advantage of being awarded charitable status, which will be incorporated
into the new Sports Club.
Snitterfield Colts Football Club
was formed just two years ago by parents who were interested in forming
a team for their children. Following a few friendly matches and tournaments,
they decided to enter the Warwickshire League and now look forward to
regular Sunday afternoon action on an improved pitch adjacent to the
cricket square.
The future for sport in Snitterfield looks bright, thanks to the foresight,
love of sport and sheer hard work of the local people involved. Randolph
Pearson would have been most impressed.
|
