Characters of The 19th Century - Caught in Time By Mick Bailey

Many years before systematic and organised cricket had been established, home and away matches of an informal nature were arranged between local teams. These usually took place during the yearly fairs, which before the days of bank holidays, provided the only official holidays recognised by employers of labour in the neighbourhood. Frequently three day games were played during these feasts, and the interest in these events was greatly increased by the comparatively heavy side-bets which were laid on the respective teams.

Frequent stoppages were a feature of these games. The normal process of a game did not provide sufficient thrills for the cricketers of the period. After little more than an hour’s play there would be an inevitable stoppage for ‘drinks’, and later, perchance, a further adjournment would be caused by a fight, liable at any moment which would not easily be stopped.

This was the daily programme in these three day matches, which were accounted exceedingly dull if they were not enlivened by a little healthy bloodletting. One outstanding performance is recorded of one of these games in which a Barrow cricketer, George Meadows, batted, with great endurance and fortitude, through the entire three days, resolutely impervious to the unsettling effect of intermittent interruptions and constant barracking from the hostile crowds.

It is believed this same player who was a character well known in the district was also noted for his success in single wicket matches. Playing against a renowned Sileby cricketer the turn out of the Barrow sportsman could in no way be deemed orthodox, and the singularity of his appearance was heightened by a ‘three-quarter decker’ hard hat which had already seen considerable service.

Before he began to bowl he removed this hat with infinite and almost loving care. In doing so he appeared to make a kind of low obeisance, though whether this was a courtesy intended for the crowd, his opponent, or the umpire, was not immediately apparent. That official, however, on receiving the hat was astonished to find that it contained no fewer than eight hard boiled eggs. After the match the Barrow cricketer, a notable trencherman, devoured them with an ease which drew gasps of admiration from the onlookers. There are no records of who eventually won this encounter!

Mr Frederick (Fred) Cox, a sporting gentleman of independent means was a paying guest of a Miss Margaret Carver on South Street and stayed in the village for a number of years. He was a keen sportsman for hunting, cricket, shooting and quoits. He hired villagers to carry his sporting bags to many events.

Mr. Cox was very keen on cricket and would get any volunteer to accompany him to the ground to field and run after the ball always paying well for the time especially if they broke his wickets bowling. He was instrumental and one of the leading lights in encouraging the village youth to take up the game, notably the brothers Alf, George and William Harris who were close neighbours. He also donated many cricket bats he purchased from Thomas Freer for prizes at various competitions such as single wicket matches.

His favourite cricket shot was apparently the cover drive and he perfected the stroke precisely which is more than one could say about his acumen with a gun when on one occasion’ shooting in a field called the ‘Breeches’’ a stray shot caught both one of his helpers and his dog. The man, close to the dyke fell in and the dog ran off in a state of fright. Fred immediately went to care for his helper and gave him a drop of spirit out of his flask which he carried on all occasions. After a few more ‘swallows’ the man recovered and was able to follow in the sport. The dog returned home none the worse for the incident.

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In the early 1870’s on a certain Whit-Monday the Barrow team came to visit old rivals Wymeswold. The eleventh member of the home team, a man named ‘Wilson’, was very late putting in an appearance, and did not arrive until the Barrow innings was completed. Much to his annoyance he was refused to bat, and after the game he threw out a challenge to the Barrow team to select their strongest player for a single wicket match.

After due consideration, Jack Lovett was chosen to represent Barrow, and resist this confident challenge. Although at the time he was a mere lad of sixteen, he was already a formidable opponent. In later years he fulfilled his early promise, and became one of the best bowlers in the neighbourhood of Charnwood.

The stake for this single wicket match was a bottle of gin, and the Barrow youth, by bowling his opponent out for a duck in each innings and making seven himself, ran out an easy winner. When, however, he came off the field of play to enjoy a ‘sup’ of the gin he had so richly earned, a bitter disappointment awaited him, and he found that the bottle had been rapidly emptied in his absence. The culprit(s) no doubt had long gone ‘Some things never change’.

Jack Lovett’s prowess as a cricketer will be highlighted in a later article on his long career that spanned for over 50 years. At this time of writing it is believed he holds the distinction of being the only Barrow player to take all ten wickets in a match.

There are many other players of this period that again we will try to include in further articles. In the next ‘Caught in Time’ article we focus on the formation of the villages first recognised club team Barrow Victoria and an early junior scorecard against local rivals Quorn.

Again any memorabilia and comments are most welcome especially on this period; please text or call me directly on my mobile (07944) 967670.

Mick Bailey

July 2009