OUR FAMILY X1

OUR FAMILY X1

In July 1937 the Sharples family who lived in the Lancashire village of Summerseat claimed to be the champion family cricket team.  The challenge was taken up by my Grandfather’s seven sons, the eldest’s three sons and the eleventh man who was a cousin. . From villages and towns in the area people came by trains and charabancs and a crowd of more than 2000 gathered to see the clash of the clans.

‘It has been a great game – this 24- over innings business encourages bright cricket and a field day for the valley.  The spectators cheering and counter cheering echoed far up into the surrounding moors.

The hero of the day was 57 year old Horrocks Sharples who scored 30 in the gayest manner.  There was laughter when he went in to bat with 15yr old George – tiny beside him.  But George’s bat was not straight and it went the way of all willows.’

Horrocks once played for Ramsbottom in the Lancashire League and I regret to say that he and his family won the day by one wicket and 36 runs.  However I learnt a little more about my more distant granddad.  He admitted that he was not very keen on cricket,

‘I don’t know where the lads picked it up.  I think it was the Unitarian Sunday School they went to.’

And we were told by the Free Press special correspondent that my grandfather’s secret pride was that he used to play football under the name of Benny Holt for Bury and Rossendale and Middleton in the Lancashire League.
Why would he change his name?

The St John Ambulance will benefit by £25 from the gate. (Remember it was 1937)