MEMBERS PUBLICATIONS

The Society encourages members to compile publications, in particular those devoted to cricket. While not able to support individual ventures financially, experienced members of the Society will be happy to provide advice and guidance as necessary.
 
Most of the titles listed below have been published locally and privately in small quantities at reasonable cost.
 
The following publications, compiled or written by members of Stourbridge & District Cricket Society, may be purchased at the society’s monthly meetings.
 
To avoid disappointment, please use the contact form to reserve your purchase requirements. Similarly, if you wish to order by post, please contact here. Please note that prices do not include postage. 
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​A History of Cricket in Oldswinford By Ken Slater
 
A new book on cricket has been published recently. While such a bland announcement is unlikely to cause more than a ripple of excitement beyond Stourbridge, Ken Slater’s book focuses on the little-known early years of Oldswinford St Mary’s Cricket Club, then in Worcestershire.
The secretary of the present-day Oldswinford CC (OCC) has spent much of the past two years scrolling through countless spools of microfiched match reports that have appeared in the local press since the late 19th century.
Like so many clubs, the parish church provided the initial impetus – or more accurately it was Robert Streeton, a young curate, supported by Rector Charles Wordsworth and, in addition to cricket, they established a football club, dramatic society, night school, a savings club plus a bible class.
The first three reported matches, unearthed by Slater, occurred in 1879, when OSM were defeated, in turn, by Brierley Hill, St Thomas’s, and Amblecote.
The Club has had a nomadic existence for much of its life. Of much interest is the confirmation of the location of the various home grounds that were used by OSM. The book contains helpful Ordnance Survey maps of the day, showing the precise locations.
The first ground was known as Rectory Field (behind the Crabmill public house), followed by The Quarry, The Castle (present-day Castle Grove), Prescott (on a private field owned by Ernest Stevens at the top of Chawn Hill), again at The Quarry, then short stays at the Top Field of Old Swinford Hospital, Mary Stevens Park, The Croft (sandwiched between housing and a laundry off Hagley Road – no sixes were allowed!), and since 1985, Albermarle Road where the club plays today (formerly known as The Quarry!)
Slater pays tribute to the men who successfully steered the club to its present-day status, notably the late Ken Turner (after whom the modern pavilion is named) and evergreen 95-year-old Jack Edmonds, a former Mayor of Stourbridge. Both men played for the club pre-WW2 and devoted many years of service to the club.
Ken Slater is to be applauded for his diligent research, which he has transcribed into a highly useful record of the early years of Oldswinford St Mary’s CC – the club ended its link with St Mary’s as recently as 1985.
Slater has unearthed many fascinating facts of particular interests not just to cricket aficionados, but also to Oldswinford residents and those interested in local heritage.
The book, priced at £7.95 (add £2 for postage), is available from the S&DCS. Alternatively, please use the contact us link to obtain a copy. 
DON KENYON – His Own Man – by Tim Jones.

This authorised biography of Wordsley-born, Worcestershire captain, England cricketer and selector and inaugural President of Stourbridge & District Cricket Society was short-listed for the annual MCC / Cricket Society Book of the Year Award.
In Wisden’s obituary, George Chesterton wrote: ‘Worcester was probably the only place in the world where the name Don did not immediately conjure up Bradman’. Tim’s work conjures up a superb portrait of the man who captained the County’s first Championship winning side in 1964 and retained it in 1965!

​SB 160 pp             Price: £15
ANOTHER 57 BLACK COUNTRY SPORTSMEN – by Terry Church

​This second volume of pen portraits brings the total of sports personalities featured by tireless Terry to 114 – and he hasn’t included any women yet!
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Whereas the first volume (sold out!) featured mostly cricketers and footballers, this follow-up introduces other sports such as athletics, cycling and snooker. The book’s launch at Himley CC, was attended by a dozen featured celebrities and many aficionados of various sports.
 
SB 176pp              Price: £8.95
STOURBRIDGE CC TEST CRICKETERS – by Anthony Collis

This book was compiled to celebrate the Club’s 175th anniversary. It contains pen portraits of 19 Test cricketers who also played for Stourbridge CC, plus five ‘Worthies’ who came close, but represented their country in another capacity – e.g. as an umpire or selector at Test level, or played for a national XI, not designated as a Test team. The book is supported by a number of local businesses that have continue to operate since the mid-19th century.

​SB 142pp              Price: £7
WORCESTERSHIRE CRICKET REVIEW (2017) – by Anthony Collis
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The book includes scorecards with brief notes of all first-class matches played by Worcestershire in the 2016 season, plus details of 50 overs, T20 results WCCC 2nd XI matches, overviews of Birmingham League and Worcs County League seasons and articles associated with cricket in the county, not forgetting 15 pages of comprehensive first-class statistics. Phew!

​SB 78pp                Price: £7
Back copies since 2014 available (2012 & 2103 sold out) 
GRAEME POLLOCK – Innings by Innings – by Anthony Collis

Originally published by the Association of Cricket Statisticians, (#14 of Famous Cricketers Series) this is the complete first-class career record of one of the world’s greatest left-handed batsmen, whose Test career was limited to 23 matches in which his average was second only to that of Bradman (until recently eclipsed by Adam Voges).
The booklet is one of the last few copies of the author’s stock.
 
SB 40pp A5
Originally priced at £7
Now priced to clear at £3
EARLY DAY RECALLED (Stourbridge CC) – by H. Jack Haden

A facsimile reprint, published in 2017, by Stourbridge & District Cricket Society.
Jack Haden was a well-known journalist with the (Stourbridge) County Express. To mark the Club’s centenary in 1957, he published newspaper reports covering the rebirth of the Club, originally founded in 1842.
The reports focus on the period up to 1881 and provide many items that will interest residents and students of local heritage.

SB 22pp A5          Price: £3
INNS & OUTS – by Anthony Collis & Geoff Wellsteed

A unique book featuring the heritage of cricket on the nation’s inn signs! A Bradmanesque total of 334 images are featured with interesting text explaining the picture (where applicable) and fascinating cricket information connected with the location.  The book received official recognition by the Cricket Memorabilia Society. Last few copies remaining.
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HB 157 pp Large format A4
Originally priced at £15.
Now priced to clear at £7.00
This page is limited to publications compiled or written by members of Stourbridge & District Cricket Society.

UNWANTED BOOKS & COLLECTIONS.

​If you have a number of books or collections that you wish to dispose of (downsizing, deceased estate etc), please use the contact form and provide an approximate total together with a brief summary of the type of books – e.g. Wisden’s, biographies, brochures, yearbooks etc.