Victorian Cricket Day
June 28th 2007 13:30
If you are fortunate enough to be in Alton, Hampshire (England) this weekend or anywhere that is close enough for you to get there make sure you head to the Butts for the annual Victorian Cricket Match. My word this is the biggest laugh!
Basically 9 pubs in Alton get together a cricket team and have a fundraising event - Victorian Style! Authentic bat, ball and stumps are used for the game.... and if you turn up minus your Victorian gear you cannot play!
Our day unfolded as such last year - the team gathered for what was agreed to be an early night (yeah right!), just to discuss the final bits of the game plan at the pub the night before. Seeing as I lived at the pub I had no choice but to stay to the bitter end - our two opening batsmen left at 4am.... the first game was at 10am with everyone congregating at the pub at 8am for breakfast. Thankfully someone had their head screwed on (not me) and was up bright and early with breakfast on the go to greet some very weary players.
10am saw us down at the playing field stretching and getting ready for the action.
The history if the area is fascinating too. Only a short stroll takes you to Chawton and the home of Jane Austen (she would have crossed this very field on her walks in to town).
Ever heard the saying "Sweet F**k All?" - well this area was once the place of the rather gruesome murder of a young girl named Sweet Fanny Adams. One day while out playing with her friends she was lured away by a young man, taken into a local field and raped. Her body parts were found strewn across the area and sailors at the time, hearing of the terrible tale, began to refer to their measly ship meals as Sweet Fanny Adams, or Sweet F**k All.
The young man was working in the local soliciters office, which is still in use today and the pub where I lived was once the jailhouse where he was held, tried and later hanged for his terrible crime.
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Comment by katyzzz
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Incidentally, that's me there in the purple. I must say I feel a little embarrassed about the photo you took of me showing off my panties.
Whilever I can wield a bat I'll be here, year after year.
Great post and pics, ah, yes I remember it well. But what a cast of drinkers, and me the only wowser, I just have to eat, eat, eat, while everyone else drinks, drinks, drinks.
I just love the accommodation. Brought the laptop with me, but there'll be no plagiarism here, oh, no, no, no. I'll just talk about the weather, does anyone own that dear? Ash, never be ashamed to admit you're related to your great aunty Austen.
See you soon,
katyzzz
Comment by Candice
Looks like a lot of fun! Love that purple dress Katyzzz. Where can I get one?