High Wycombe Cricket Club will celebrate a unique milestone this month.
The London Road-based sports team will turn 200-years-old and to honour the occasion, a two-day event in the middle of September is expected to see hundreds of people from the town and beyond attend their annual ‘Big Bash event.’
Posted by High Wycombe Cricket Club on Tuesday, 22 August 2023
Ironically, no cricket will be played on the 16th and 17th of this month when they host their anniversary celebrations.
Teddie Casterton, who is associated with the cricket club, told the Free Press: “It’s a testament to how the club has been run.
Posted by High Wycombe Cricket Club on Saturday, 2 September 2023
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“There’s no secret that every club has had its own challenges but with the structure that we have in place along with the members that we currently have and had in the past, they are just some of the reasons why we’ve been able to stand strong for 200 years.
“We’re so honoured and happy to still be here and as we’ve gone through the years, our cricket has got better, we’ve got more members and more people are walking through the door.
“This is a community that’s strong and the biggest achievement we’ve had is the fact that we’re still here.
“We’ve had families from all over come to us not just for the cricket, but for the community spirit as well.
“We’ve got a history that we’re proud of.”
One of the biggest events High Wycombe has enjoyed in recent years was when they hosted an international T20 match between Barbados and St Vincent & The Grenadines in August 2022.
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It was attended by more than 3,000 people and with the town having strong links to the Caribbean, the fixture has been regarded as one of the most successful in the club’s history.
It also benefitted HWCC financially after what was a ‘difficult period’ during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Teddie continued: “It was a monumental day and in the few years I’ve been with High Wycombe, I’ve never seen so many people here.
“We had Caribbean music, games such as dominos, and food and the cricket was good too.
Highlights of the High Commission of St. Vincent and the Grenadines joint T20 Charity Cricket Match with The Republic of Barbados held 21 August 2022 in High Wycombe, UK. We love this initiative to connect Vincentians in the diaspora and to share with our Caribbean brothers and sisters.
Posted by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade on Monday, 26 September 2022
“It was great to see this place packed out and on top of that, it was wonderful to know cricket brought together so many people.
“We know that the two has got its Caribbean links to the town, but to see people from all walks of life mingle and chat and laugh was fantastic.
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“It came after what was really difficult 18 months during Covid, it was something that the town needed where everyone could come together and enjoy themselves.
“It was a perfect day.”
Finally, on the Big Bash event in the middle of September, he concluded: “There will be live bands, lots of hot food, multiple activities and a motorcycle event.”
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