When the club was reformed as Highnam Court CC in 1976, Tom Fenton became club Chairman (later President), leasing the ground for a peppercorn rent and very often playing himself. The highlight of the season often came when Tom fielded his own President’s XI against a Highnam Court team.

 The next decade ushered in a golden period for the Club, which saw them rapidly promoted through the local leagues until, in 1984, they found themselves in the top division of the Cheltenham and Gloucester League, alongside such powerful local clubs as Newent, Redmarley and Witcombe. A resounding victory over Churchdown that year was featured not only in the Citizen, but also the Western Daily Press.

In 2003, the Club were sorry to lose groundbreaking local DJ Ivanhoe Campbell, who was Gloucestershire’s first black radio presenter; and in 2013, club stalwart and groundsman Martin Loughlin sadly passed away far too early.

2020 provided its own unique challenges.  With little prospect of play during the early part of the season, Saturdays in May and June featured online competitions amongst the players – “Dads v Lads” back-garden cricket; quizzes; a “design-your-own-kit” colouring competition; and lots more besides. As we entered July, small, socially-distanced groups were able to train, observing Covid protocols – Finally, the big day arrived, at the start of the school holidays, when we could don our whites and take the field for some competitive cricket. 

It is to everyone’s credit that Highnam Court are the smallest club in Gloucestershire able to regularly field two teams who are not only keen cricketers, but a wonderfully diverse bunch in terms of age, gender, ability and background. We can field a core of talented 20-somethings as well as a team where there is a 60 year age difference between the oldest and youngest players!

There has been a wonderful camaraderie both on and off the field, and is a great reflection of what the cricket club has offered to the community over the years.

For the rest of the article search Highnam Cricket and read the ‘full article’ or find it in the Highnam section of the Highnam Heritage website.

For current details of the Highnam Court Cricket Club, contact their website on –

http://www.highnamcourt.play-cricket.com