Cricket on ice (1855)

Post date: Jan 28, 2021 4:41:31 PM

Extract from Kentish Gazette - Tuesday 20 February 1855

Wateringbury.

Cricket on the Ice. On Tuesday last, by permission of James Fremlin³, Esq., the members of our cricket club assembled on the lake in Mr. Fremlin's ground, and played a hearty game, seven skaters against seven non-skaters. Some of the play was very good indeed. The spectators were, of course, very numerous, and all seemed much amused by the novelty of the sport, and to see the facility with which the players went down as well as the wickets. The game was finished in favour of the skaters. The sides were as under :

Skaters: The Rev. Cobb, jun . Messrs. Towner, R. Fremlin¹, A. Fremlin⁴, J. Featherstone, J. Harris, B. Andrews.

Non-Skaters: Messrs. C. Boorman, C.G. Willcocks, T. Edmeads, A. Leney², R. Cripps, T. Saunders, G. Foles.

At the conclusion of the game, the players and others adjourned to the Duke's Head Inn, where a very comfortable evening was passed.

Notes:

1. Could be either Ralph (founder of Fremlins Brewery in Maidstone but who disapproved of pubs) or Richard Fremlin.

2. Augustus Leney who expanded Frederick Leney and Sons, Wateringbury brewers.

3. James Fremlin, the father of Ralph and Richard Fremlin and 9 other children lived at The Wardens so it is probable that the "lake" would have been the mill pond to Wardens Mill, no longer existing

and where the Pear Orchard is now. Less likely but possible would be the Brattle (or Upper) Mill Pond

4. A. Fremlin is possibly William Arthur Fremlin.

Another unusual cricket ground is the Goodwin Sands where cricket has been periodically played since 1813.

The Duke's Head Inn was not the closest pub.