The Cricket Derbyshire Foundation Oral History of Cricket in Derbyshire project reached its conclusion on Thursday evening at the Pattonair County ground, Derby with the premiere of a 130-minute long film of selected excerpts taken from more than 260 recordings.
Beginning in 2017 and running for just over two years, the project was funded exclusively by the Heritage Lottery Fund, and led by Project Manager, David Griffin, and local volunteers, the Oral History of Cricket in Derbyshire Project focused on collecting audio-visual reminiscences about cricket at every level within the county, from grassroots to the Test arena.
The Cricket Derbyshire Foundation (Charity Number 1155801) has a number of aims and objectives, one of which is to advance education for the public benefit in the history and heritage of cricket in Derbyshire.
The project enabled volunteers to capture the recollections and memories of former Test and county cricketers, spectators of all ages and from all backgrounds, club cricketers, women’s and disabled cricketers, officials, scorers, umpires, broadcasters, journalists, groundstaff and all the other people who make up the fabric of cricket in the county of Derbyshire.
This project has offered, for the time in Derbyshire, an opportunity to capture audio-visual insights into the game of cricket from those who play or have played the game, and also from those who watch or participate in other ways.
More than 120 of the contributors attended the screening including current Derbyshire President, Harold Rhodes, plus two other former Test cricketers, Geoff Miller and Bob Taylor.
Other ex-Derbyshire players attended including Tony Borrington, Alan Hill, Colin Tunnicliffe, Harry Cartwright and Kevin Dean, as well as almost 100 people from the recreational game representing clubs from throughout the county.
Project Manager David Griffin commented; “This has been a hugely rewarding project. The volunteers provided invaluable support, and the contributors, from England Test cricketers to the humblest recreational player have provided us with a wealth of not just cricketing, but also social, history. I can’t thank them enough for their tremendous contribution.”
The Cricket Derbyshire Foundation Trustees are Chaired by Chris Hartley who attended the premiere; speaking about the project he said; “This project goes to show the pride and passion for cricket in Derbyshire. From local clubs to former Test players, the recollections of hundreds of those involved in the game are now available to view online, forever encapsulating their memories of cricket across the county.
“We hope that projects such as this, as well as the dedicated work our community clubs carry out each year, will inspire future generations and ensure that cricket continues to flourish in Derbyshire.”
There are 260 recordings available on the Cricket Derbyshire Foundation YouTube channel, as well as the film which was shown for the first time on Thursday.
The recordings will also be placed with the Derbyshire County Council Records Office and the East Midlands Oral Heritage Archive.
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