Village cricket has long been interwoven with Kentish life, a slice of which features in a new book, titled Cricket in Barham.

A history of cricket in Barham, near Canterbury, the book charts the rise and decline of cricket in the village over 200 years.

Cricket’s popularity grew rapidly in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Kentish Gazette and other local newspapers played a key role then in raising the game’s profile and stimulating interest in it.

Near Barham itself, Bourne Park and Barham Downs were significant early cricket venues. Barham’s first recorded cricket match took place in 1813, in the same year as the first recorded match on the Goodwin Sands!

A thriving village cricket club was established in the Victorian period and continued to flourish in the first half of the 20th century. Unfortunately, decline followed and despite several valiant attempts to revive the club, stumps were drawn in 2014.

A variety of people were involved with cricket in Barham, ranging from a young gentleman who became an Anglican bishop to an Australian media tycoon; and from a humble farm worker to a Viscountess! Plus there were two future Test cricketers who played in fixtures against Barham.

While the focus is on the cricket club in Barham, the book also explores cricket in the wider contexts both of village life and the changing fortunes of the game in east Kent.

The book was written by Mark Chaloner, who was secretary of Barham Cricket Club for 27 years, and is published by the Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians (ACS).

Copies can be purchased via the publications section of the ACS website at www.acscricket.com or by contacting Mark on 07753 117352.