The Club as it is now known and constituted is only fifteen years old but as far back as forty years ago, a small company of local Baptists were sowing the seeds of our present organisation. They were known as the Rushden Baptist Cricket Club. The only knowledge the writer has of this organisation has been gleaned from various team photographs that are treasured possessions in more than one home. One of these framed portraits will hang in the new Pavilion.

Mr. S. C. Brightwell was the first secretary of the old Cricket Club, and he has kindly consented to contribute a few reminiscences that will interest our supporters, old and young alike.

Mr. Brightwell’s Story

"As one of the pioneers of the Baptist Cricket Club, I consider it an honour (on the occasion of the opening of the New Pavilion) to be asked to contribute something of the early days of the club.

"A cricket club in connection with the Baptist Chapel was established prior to 1896, of which I was the secretary. We first played in "Tibbs Field" off Newton-road, and later removed to "Sheep-pen" off the Wellingborough-road, just behind the present Windmill Club.

"We were at "Sheep-pen" in 1896, and some of the players in those days were:— Fred Linnitt, Tom Smith (deceased), A. Gramshaw, George Perkins, W. Flood, myself and others.

"In 1905 the present club was formed and has been in existence ever since. The present Baptist Recreation field was then occupied by the Rushden Thursday Cricket Club, and they allowed us to have the use of it on Saturdays. From my diary I note a meeting was held on July 5th, 1905, and that we played a match on the following Saturday. Only friendly matches were played in those days. There was one exciting match played in August of that year, the score of which reads—Rushden Wesleyan 159, Rushden Baptist 160.

"The club did me the honour of selecting myself as captain, an office I continued to hold for several seasons. Mr. S. H. Bamforth was the secretary, and Messrs. F. Sharwood, James Sykes, Senr., the late Percy Collins, W. Flood, and others, were great workers for the club in those days. We have always had great assistance from the ladies in arranging our teas, etc., and many are the happy days we have spent in this field with our wives, families and sweethearts.

"The club progressed satisfactorily up to the War, during which it was kept going with the assistance of the soldiers who were billeted in Rushden at that time.

"The Thursday Club being disbanded, we took over and rented the present field from Mr. Wm. Chettle (an old Baptist scholar), and a Tennis Section was commenced. Later the field was purchased outright by the Church for a Recreation field. During this period the Mission Cricket Club were our chief rivals, and many an exciting tussle we have had together.

"1926-1927 was a critical period with the club, when, fortunately, my friend Mr. A. J. Sturgess came along and gave that bit of impetus which decided the club to enter League cricket. Since then, the club has gone from strength to strength, winning their way from the lower divisions to the premier division of the Kettering and District League, and are now ranked as one of the leading cricket clubs of the district.

"I am glad that upon the foundation laid by us pioneers, the present members of the club have built a super-structure, got a ground and beautiful pavilion which are a credit to Rushden, and I am sure, from the keen interest displayed by the younger members, the present high status of the Baptist Cricket Club will long be maintained." S.C. Brightwell.

Mr. Bayes' Narrative Continued

Shortly after the War, when church and social life were trying to settle down, to something like normal conditions, after a period of great upheaval, a few people in our church felt the need for providing healthy outdoor recreation for the young people of our Church and Sunday-school. Just about this time it became known that the field on which the old Baptist Cricket Club had played, was idle, and could doubtless be rented under favourable terms. A special meeting was called on March 11th 1919, to which were invited all those interested in providing recreation for our young people. Mr. Sharwood presided and Mr. Horace Wright was elected secretary pro. tem. This meeting was very enthusiastic for such a scheme, and passed a resolution that the Church Secretary be asked to call a special meeting of the church and congregation to consider it. Meanwhile, a Deacons' and Finance Committee invited Mr. Wright and Mr. Brightwell to state a case for a Recreation Club. The church and congregation meeting was held on March 25th, under the chairmanship of Rev. R. C. Law. The need for a Recreation Club was pressed by Mr. F. J. Sharwood, and a definite scheme was put before the meeting by Mr. Horace Wright. The gist of his proposals was that a Recreation Club be formed to cater for cricket and tennis during the summer months and winter sports if desired later, and that negotiations be opened with Mr. Chettle for the lease of his field. The scheme was duly passed, and the following sponsors were appointed to give the project a backing—Messrs. C. A. K. Green, W. B. Sanders, F. Corby, C. Putnam, F. Cowley, F. J. Sharwood and Horace Wright. A committee was also elected to make preliminary arrangements pending the securing of the ground. A lease was secured for a period of five years at a rental of £25 per annum "with use of roller." The next task was the raising of a fund to provide the necessary sports equipment, also to defray the cost of a hut. Thanks to the liberality of five or six gentlemen, the sum of £105 was soon subscribed, besides amounts collected by a ladies' committee. By the middle of May, all was ready for the commencement of operations. A hut was erected for £30, and Mrs. T. Sanders and the secretary (Mr. H. Wright) were asked to go to London and purchase cricket and tennis kit value £45. A groundsman was appointed and three tennis courts were soon prepared on the part of the field which would also be used by the cricket section. The tennis section proved amazingly popular. This was the first opportunity for tennis that had been presented to the majority of those who joined, and one can appreciate their enthusiasm when it is realized that there were no such things as stop nets in these early days. The cricket section started off with one team. Here is the personnel of the combination that vanquished the Rushden Mission on August 23rd. 1919:—F. J. Sharwood, S. C. Brightwell, L. Allen, W. T. L. Flood, A. W. Ablett, T. Hilton, H. Wright, E. Barley, F. Robinson, H. Linnitt and J. Capell, with A. Hanger umpiring and E. Hobbs as scorer. By the next year sufficient enthusiasm was mustered to run two teams, and the second team won nine matches out of thirteen as against the premier eleven's four out of eighteen. I believe I am correct in saying that 1st and 2nd eleven fixtures have been played ever since. So large was the aggregate membership in 1921 that the size of the hut had to be doubled and the groundsman's wages increased. Football and Hockey Clubs had also become well established, but their existence was destined to be short-lived, the men's hockey team eventually being absorbed into the Rushden Town Hockey Club that continues to rent a pitch from us to this day. Under the presidency of Rev. J. A. Sutherland, the Club became firmly established. Although numbers began to diminish (largely through the formation of other local sports organisations) enthusiasm never flagged, and the question of purchasing the ground was the next problem to be faced, and by the early part of 1923 this was completed. The field was purchased for the sum of £500 and vested in the trustees of the Rushden Park-road Baptist Church. Of this sum, the Recreation Club raised £150, Mr. W. Sherwood being largely responsible for the success of the effort. If ever any folks doubted the wisdom of this step, they surely must have since altered that opinion, for the Allen-road ground is now appreciating in value year by year, and is a very valuable asset. Had our Church allowed the field to pass from them it would doubtless have been converted into a greyhound racing track before now. We should appreciate the fact that the vendor made us a special concession in selling the field at so reasonable a figure.

Four more years of steady progress passed before the next landmark in the Club's history was passed, viz., the laying of permanent tennis courts, for it must be remembered that up to 1927 tennis was played in the middle of the field. Tennis and cricket could therefore not be played at the same time. The initial step was taken at the 1926 annual meeting, but many committee meetings were held before the final scheme was passed. The expenditure incurred amounted to about £100, most of which was raised by a big effort in the spring of 1927. The courts were officially opened on Saturday, May 21st, by Mr. W. F. Chappell, of Kettering. This event was also the occasion of the opening of the bowling green.

There had long been a desire on the part of many for a Bowls Club, and when the Thursday Tennis Club gave up the court they had rented from us, the opportunity arose for the formation of such a Club. Mr. Lewis Allen became its first secretary. A silver cup was presented to the club by Mr. H. Wright, to be competed for annually, and, strangely enough, was first won by the donor. Although existing in very humble conditions, the bowls section soon became a happy feature of the Recreation Club, and ever since has been a source of strength there. It is interesting to note that during the year 1927 the total income was £180 (a record that is hardly likely to be beaten, even in 1934).

After such a strenuous year, the Club might have been excused had it relaxed its energy, but instead, more progress was made in 1928. After nine years of carrying water on to the field, the town supply was installed and sufficient hose-piping for watering the various portions of the ground. In addition to this expense, a sum of £15 was absorbed in improving the turf, particularly on the new tennis courts that had become badly worn.

At the end of its first ten years of existence a touch of regret is now introduced. Mr. Horace Wright and Mr. J. F. Knight, who had worked together as secretary and treasurer during this period, now found it imperative to relinquish office. No one could ever appreciate the full extent of their efforts; suffice it to say that their works do follow them, and if others are now building, they are working on the same foundations. A special minute places on record their faithful and loyal service. These vacancies became filled by Mr. G. E. Bayes, who had assisted Mr. Wright since 1924, and Mr. A. T. Rose, who has taken an active interest in the Club since its formation.

The forward movement of 1929 was the erection of the Refreshment Hut, which was also designed for the Ladies' Hut. In addition to special efforts to defray the cost, no less than forty members subscribed varying sums. This building was officially opened by Mr. Horace Wright on Whit-Monday, and soon proved to be an added boon to the Club.

Another great loss, sustained in 1929, was caused through the removal to Luton of Rev. J. A. Sutherland. He had maintained a very deep interest in the Club, and proved a very wise counsellor in many matters.

At the end of the first ten years it was surprising to note how many once-zealous workers had been lost to the Club, some by removal from the town, others by increased duties in other spheres, but there were always others to fill their places and so the movement continued to prosper.

The year 1930 saw the accession of the third pastoral president, Rev. T. W. Gill, who soon became an enthusiastic chairman of committee. The Cricket Club was now beginning to feel its feet again after a rough passage two or three years before, but the Tennis Club now showed signs of weakening, largely due to increased counter-attractions. Thanks to the loyalty of old members, the Club hung together and amply justified its existence. Mr. Walter Webb, who had served as groundsman almost from the beginning, relinquished this post at the end of the 1930 Season, much to the regret of all. He had served faithfully and well, and made his duties a real labour of love. Happily he still continues with us as a member, and his successor (Mr. Tom Hilton) maintains the same high standard of devoted service.

Of the more recent history of the Club, memory may suffice to recount the threads. The years 1931-32 produced no incident of outstanding note. The Church Renovation Scheme was sapping the vitality of not a few, and not least our own Ladies' Tea Committee. This energetic band of ladies, who had served us by providing teas on Saturdays and handing over substantial profits each year, were one of the main bands of workers for the Bazaar. Their fortnightly teas, given by themselves in turn, yielded a substantial sum of money, but of more importance was the fellowship that was fostered and that paved the way for the founding of the "Women's Pleasant Hour," which to-day is the largest attended auxiliary of the Church. The Recreation Club has always felt its great debt of gratitude to the Ladies' Tea Committee.

About this time a motor-mower was brought into use and soon made a difference in the appearance of the field, as it permitted of keeping down a much wider outfield; this being very acceptable to aspiring run-getters.

It was not until last year (1933) that a revival in interest could be traced. The low tide turned and produced a tidal-wave of interest that completely staggered everybody in office. The year opened black, but its sun went down in a blaze of glory; we started off heavily in debt, but finished up well on the right side. The Jumble Sale in the spring proved to be the psychological moment; aiming at £15-20, we netted £37, thus restoring the spirits of all. Another feature of success was the fine summer of 1933 that enabled full time to be put in at sport. Our Cricket Club made history by earning promotion in the Kettering and District League, and narrowly missed winning the District Knock-out Cup. Tennis, too, enjoyed a boom year by recapturing old and new members. A putting course was marked out and proved a new source of enjoyment for many. Summer sports were never played so far into the autumn as they were last year; interest was maintained right to the end.

Last September, a suggestion was made at a committee meeting that the time might soon be opportune to launch a New Pavilion Scheme, and with the past season's success fresh in the minds of all, together with a healthy financial position, the idea caught on. A special commission was set up to explore the possibilities and bring forward a scheme if necessary, and before a scheme was authorized different sections of the Club, besides individuals, were engaged in raising money for the project. Backed with such enthusiasm, the special committee set to work with a will, and the result of many meetings was the full scheme that has recently been consummated.

Although the Pavilion has been officially opened, the finishing touches are not quite complete, but when it is finished it will be a building of which we can be justly proud.

Already the 1934 playing season is well advanced, and it is very gratifying to know that another large increase in membership is registered, particularly in the tennis and bowls sections, and all eyes are upon the two cricket elevens that are competing in different sections of the League, this being the first time that two teams have been engaged in League cricket.

Alas, my chronicles draw to a close. As we stand in the present and look back over the past records, we may also be excused if we try and peep into the future, which at the moment looks bright. We may dream of county cricket matches and county bowls tournaments, of hard tennis courts and swimming pools, but unless the Rushden Baptist Recreation Club seeks to promote Christian manliness and healthy fellowship it will have failed in its task. This, it does endeavour to do. May there never lack those who shall remain true to these lofty ideals!

Reprinted from "The Rushden Baptist Magazine"