A village cricket club will commemorate its little known role in the history of the women’s game with a special festival.
Colwall Cricket Club is set to celebrate 100 years since a women’s cricket tour to the village led to the creation of the Women’s Cricket Association, the first national governing body dedicated to women’s cricket.
The milestone will be marked with a free Women’s & Girls’ Centenary Festival in collaboration with Colwall Park Hotel on Sunday, August 9.
The story dates back to the summer of 1926, when Miss Vera Cox and Miss Kathleen Doman organised a women’s cricket tour to Colwall.
The players were based at Colwall Park Hotel where the success of the tour led a group of them to decided cricket needed an official association for female players, and so the Women’s Cricket Association was formed later that year.
From 1927, Colwall became the home of the annual Women’s Cricket Week, welcoming players from across Britain and beyond.
The legacy of the village – often referred to as the “cradle of women’s cricket” – will now be recognised with a new Women’s Cricket Heritage Wall, which will be unveiled during the festival.
The 1920s-inspired festival will feature a women’s softball cricket tournament, live music from the Malvern Big Band with singer Nicole Warfield, dancing demonstrations and have-a-go sessions with CoolMoves Dance & Fitness, family entertainment, and stalls from local female-led businesses.
Hospitality will be provided by Colwall Park Hotel, including traditional afternoon teas, freshly cooked fish and chips, Prosecco, Pimm’s and the special centenary cocktail, “The Colwall 1926”.
A bar will also offer locally sourced wines from Coddington Vineyard.
Gemma Nurser, communications lead at Colwall Cricket Club, said: “This festival is a chance for the whole community to celebrate those pioneering women, enjoy a wonderful day together and inspire the next generation.”
The festival opens at 12 noon with free admission. Free parking is available at Colwall Village Hall, with direct rail services to Colwall Station.