Bowled over by cricket museum (From Cotswold Journal)

Bowled over by cricket museum

10:00am Friday 22nd June 2012 in Cotswolds

A NEW cricket museum in Stow featuring a vast array of interesting items has been well received by visitors and residents since its opening delivery.

The Cotswold Cricket Museum, Brewery Yard, Sheep Street, was opened by Andy Collier who says it is the only privately-run cricket museum in the world.

Since it opened two-and-a-half months ago, about 400 visitors have been to see the treasure trove of artefacts collected by Mr Collier over the past 20 years, with £200 already raised for the Bunbury Cricket Charity.

There are many historic items including a bat belonging to legendary batsman W G Grace and Eddie Paynter’s blazer from his appearance on the infamous England tour of Australia in 1932-33, which became known as the ‘Bodyline tour’ due to the tourists’ controversial bowling tactics.

Also on display are caps, bats, china and paintings along with many rare photographs and authentic letters and footage of nostalgic events in the game’s history.

The musuem is a labour of love for Mr Collier who gave up his career as an electrician in Guildford and moved to Stow with his wife Marian to open the museum after wanting to share his cricket collection with others.

He said: “It all started with a photograph of the 1911-12 Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) to Australia. I thought it looked so good it would be a shame if no one else saw it.

“In the 19th century players wore top hats. The history of the game is fascinating. There’s so much cricket that goes on in the area you wouldn’t believe it. Everyone came out the woodwork. It’s been incredible.”

The museum is open daily from 9.30am to 4.30pm. For further information, call 01451 870083 or visit cotswoldcricketmuseum.co.uk