1965 to 2005 – A Time to Celebrate

Peter Pfeiffer, honorary life member and former Chairman of Sherwood CC recalls the club origins, its traditions and some key moments in its development.

The club was founded in 1965 to provide cricket for people on the Sherwood estate in Walderslade, hence its name. As it grew, membership was first extended to those in the Walderslade area, then later to include the greater Medway area and beyond. Initially we shared the Blue Bell Hill CC ground, then we moved to Priestfields Recreation Ground in Rochester, with its sloping and very windswept pitch and its long trek to the changing rooms. Here is where the club really began to grow.

After a few years Rochester RFC allowed us the use of their very good facilities, but what made this ground memorable was the time spent putting up and taking down tents, sightscreens and nets.

By the end of the 1980 season we decided to move away as the Priestfield wicket, which was council owned and maintained, was becoming too dangerous, and also because we wished to progress to a better standard.

In 1981 we became a nomadic team and started negotiations with Seeboard to play on their unused ground. A 10 year lease was obtained in time to prepare our present ground for the 1982 season. The grass was four feet high on the wicket area, it took an expedition to find the square and weeks of hard work to make the ground playable. There was an old wooden building which served as changing rooms, but no showers and very basic tea making facilities. During this year we progressed from friendly to league cricket.

By the time our lease was due for renewal, Seeboard had plans for a housing development. However, following our own and local residents’ objections, the council decreed that part of the ground must remain a sports field, with housing at the edges. In 1993 we managed to negotiate the purchase of the present sports ground area. A bank loan was arranged, with members supplying the necessary guarantees and additional loans. By the end of 1994 funds from various sources were finally in place to cover the cost of putting up our present clubhouse, which was designed by one of our members, the late John Preston, who oversaw the whole building process.