Hockerill Cricket Club: 150 Years of Family Cricket in Bishop’s Stortford

Alex Francis - Chairman, Hockerill Cricket Club This episode is brought to you by: StortWEB: https://stortweb.com/ Alex Francis joins the podcast to celebrate a huge milestone for Hockerill Cricket Club: *150 years of cricket in Bishop’s Stortford*. Based on Beldams Lane, Hockerill is very much a family club. Alex first joined as an 11-year-old, his dad is now the groundsman, his family helps behind the scenes and 10 of the current first XI came through the club as juniors. Today around 90 to 100 young players take part, with the emphasis firmly on having fun, making friends and enjoying cricket without unnecessary pressure. Alex also shares the unusual story of a cricket ground that crosses the Hertfordshire and Essex border, how Hockerill marked its 150th anniversary alongside Essex Cricket, and why two members ended up racing across the pitch dressed as inflatable burritos. JOIN HOCKERILL CRICKET CLUB Hockerill welcomes adults and children, with junior cricket starting from around five years old. Friday evenings during the summer are particularly social, with cricket for the children alongside the bar and barbecue for families. Website: https://hockerill.play-cricket.com/ Instagram:   / hockerill_cc   Or email: mailto:HCC-chairman@outlook.com mailto:HCC-sec@outlook.com 150TH CELEBRATION Hockerill Cricket Club is marking 150 years with its “Not Out!” celebration at Beldams Lane. There will be a T20 match, live music, food and ice cream trucks, cricket-themed mini-games and a raffle. Date: Sunday 30 August Time: 12pm until late Location: Hockerill Cricket Club, Beldams Lane Tickets: £5 per adult in advance, £7 on the door, children go free STORTFORD SPOTLIGHT BILLBOARD IN JACKSON SQUARE “Come join us at Hockerill. Family fun for everyone.” Alex says the club genuinely caters for almost every generation, from five-year-old beginners through to veteran players. SECRET SPOT Maison Rami, Church Street   / maisonrami.coffeehouse   Alex recommends the Moroccan tea and baklava and loves having somewhere offering something different in the centre of Bishop’s Stortford. LOCAL LEGENDS Thorley Cricket Club   / thorley_cc   Despite technically being local cricket rivals, Alex gives a shout-out to Adam Sydes and the team at Thorley for their new clubhouse project, junior cricket and work improving facilities for local people. SUPPORT THE PODCAST You can support The Bishop’s Stortford Community Podcast through The Giving Lottery. Every ticket helps fund equipment, recording time, and the ongoing work of telling local stories while also supporting good causes. Support here: https://www.givinglottery.org.uk/supp...