The Overstrand Sports Club was formed in 1946 after Arthur (Arty) Dennis, Billy Allard and Cecil (Ticky) Green got together to see if they could take over the running of the Cricket Field.The Overstrand Sports Club was formed in 1946 after Arthur (Arty) Dennis, Billy Allard and Cecil (Ticky) Green got together to see if they could take over the running of the Cricket Field.
The field was originally part of Baron Battersea’s estate and used as a private cricket ground by Baron Battersea and his friends.
After Lady Battersea’s death the ground was sold, the purchase price of the property was provided by residents in Overstrand and the property was conveyed on the 29th November 1935 to the original Trustees, Sir Frederick Orridge Macmillan, Meyer Louis van Mope, Richard Thomas Metton-Cremer and the Reverend Howard Lyttleton for the purpose of providing in perpetuity so far as practicable a cricket ground and sports ground for the use of the residents of and visitors to Overstrand.
Following the death of three of the original Trustees a deed of appointment of new trustees was made dated 2nd October 1948 this was made between Meyer Louis van Mope and William Robert Hamilton, Jessie Hampshire and William Chapman who
were appointed new trustees.
According to the deed poll the "perpetuity" period for the deed is "the period ending at the expiration of twenty one years from the death of the last surviving descendent of his late majesty King George V living at the date of this deed."
The North Norfolk Cricket Club used the ground up until the Second World War.
The field was requisitioned as a training ground in the Second World War and was used by regiments such as the 51st Highlanders, Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders and the Cheshire regiment
The field was bought by the villagers with money raised from a door-to-door collection and a generous donation from Mrs Hampshire.
After the war to the present day the field has been run by the Overstrand Sports Club and cricket has been played on this ground for over a hundred years.
The object of Overstrand Sports Club is the promotion of outdoor sports and games in and among the residents and visitors of Overstrand and district.
The field is open to the public to use for sporting and recreational activities within various rules and restrictions laid down by the Committee.
Overstrand Sports Club is keen for the field and the Pavilion to be used as a village resource by local people, local organisations and visitors.
If there are any current or budding sports clubs looking for a suitable venue, please contact the Chairman, Michael Cox on 01263 579686.
Overstrand Sports Club is located in the heart of the village on the High Street.
The main entrance, through impressive wrought iron gates, leads to the thatched Pavilion and sports ground.
Parking is unavailable on the site but ample parking may be found in the surrounding roads and nearby car park.
Membership to the club is available to local residents at a cost of £2 per year which entitles members to the use of the bar when open.
The pavilion is available for hire to clubs or individuals for private use. Facilities include club lounge, kitchen and bar (if staffing is available). Hire charges are available from Michael Cox (01263 579686).
In recent years the Belfry school have held their school sports day and fete on the field.
The Church also holds their fete on the field.
The Pavilion is also used by local people and organisations to hold fund raising events in.
The Sports Ground and the Pavilion are kept in such excellent condition by fundraising and by work on the ground by volunteers.
Fundraising events include regular Car Boot sales on Thursday mornings between the end of May until the middle of September (£6 per car, see local press for details) . Other fundraising events, such as music events, are also held from time to time.
The Sports Club is run by a Committee consisting of a Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer, six independent members who should live in the village and two representatives of the clubs using the field, currently the Bowls and Cricket Club. In addition there are four Trustees of the ground. The current Trustees are Mary Green, Owen Dennis, Tony Cox and Keith Fathers.
The current Chairperson is Michael Cox (01263 579686) and the Sports Club is always looking for new people, especially local residents, to get involved in the running of the ground and any help in raising the money needed to keep it in such excellent condition.
Anyone requiring further information regarding the Sports Club may contact the Secretary, Helen Chadwick on 01263 579231 or email chadwick.helen@yahoo.com