125th Anniversary of Cricket at Arundel Castle
Published Spring 2022
The History
IN 1895 the 15th Duke of Norfolk built a 3.5-acre amphitheatre at the Ground for Arundel Castle Cricket Club. It was two years later that the first cricket was played on the ground and after his death his son Bernard, the 16th Duke, carried on the tradition and arranged cricket for players from all levels of the sport. Cricket at Arundel Castle will always be associated with Bernard Marmaduke Fitzalan – Howard, 16th Duke of Norfolk. It was he who, in organising matches between the 1930’s and the 1970’s, created the unique blend between country house cricket and the game at near first-class level. The Ground is generally acknowledged to be one of the most beautiful anywhere in the world and provides the perfect setting for players and spectators alike.
In 1975, after Duke Bernard’s death, his widow Lavinia, Duchess of Norfolk, encouraged by family and friends, decided to keep cricket going at Arundel Castle and for this purpose the Friends of Arundel Castle Cricket Club (FACCC) was formed. Membership of the Club is currently around 800.
In 1986 the charitable arm, the Arundel Castle Cricket Foundation was formed. The Foundation is focused on the development and education of children and young people (mainly aged between 7-19 years) with a special emphasis on the disadvantaged and those deprived of opportunity. The London Schools Community Project supports the social, emotional and physical development of disadvantaged children from London inner city schools. The SEND Project provides sports, learning and social experiences, adapted to meet the needs of children with special educational needs and disabilities.
2022 Plans
James Rufey, Chief Operating Officer of the Club is planning to make the 125th Anniversary one to remember. The last two years have been tough for obvious reasons although it helped that in 2020, when the England team took over the Ageas Bowl (home of Hampshire) for their Covid headquarters, Hampshire decanted to Arundel. ‘They used us for training and two four-day games against Surrey and Essex. It was quite challenging – various risk assessments and operational procedures had to be signed off by the English Cricket Board’, James recalls. ‘It was great because it gave us some activity for the staff but also brought in revenue.’ They were also aided by a generous supporter who gave a donation for the delivery of a Festival of Cricket that summer.
In 2021 the Club managed to get through the year partly with government grants like many other businesses, but they also managed to host 45 days of cricket of various forms (some behind closed doors and others with restrictions). ‘Obviously the hospitality revenue was massively hit but Membership income was pretty much the same as the year before which was very pleasing indeed’. James explains.
So now the focus is on this year, and it starts in March with a dinner at the Castle which has sold out. James is busy planning the season. ‘We’re planning a series of matches and events – are currently talking to the Lord’s Taverners, the PCA and other 3rd parties. There will be Varsity Cricket (Oxford v Cambridge – Men’s and Women’s), as well as the Actors versus the Authors’.
The Club will also partner with the Arundel Festival and host a vintage cricket match on Friday 19th August. The match will replicate the first ever fixture on the Castle Ground – West Sussex Gazette v Estate XI.
A new development is that the catering operation at the Club will no longer be bought in. The appointment of chef Helen Smith, who also works at Pulborough Rugby Club, has introduced in-house catering with the intention of using high end, independent & local based suppliers.
On the marketing side there are also new developments planned with the help of a new board member, Tim Percival, who was previously the Marketing and Communications Director of England Rugby and the British and Irish Lions. Tim is currently Director of Marketing & Communications for Northampton Saints RFC.
Not only is Arundel Castle Cricket celebrating 125 years, but it is also the Queen Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June and on the first day, Thursday 2nd, the Club are planning a community day (Villages T10 Festival) which will be free for all Arundel residents. More details will be released about this soon.
All in all, there’s a lot going on this year for the Club. Let’s hope for lots of sunshine too to make it a bumper cricket season!