"When I went out to inspect the wicket, the snow was level with the top of my boots. I'd never seen anything like it." - umpire, Dickie Bird.
To celebrate the famous event, Buxton Cricket Club has invited players and officials from that game back to the ground. There'll be a buffet lunch, interviews with some of the players from 1975 and a keynote speech from Geoff Miller OBE (who played in the game).
To mark the occasion further, the club plans a ‘Cricket for All’ big club day with games for all ages and standards to watch while you enjoy the bar refreshments and cake stalls. There'll be a snow machine for the young to enjoy!
The event is on Sunday June 1 between 1pm and 4pm and tickets can be booked here
It sounds a lot of fun and I hope that it is well supported!
Sounds great. Was it played in June Peakfan that game?
ReplyDeleteYes it was. The snow came on the 2nd day, June 2. Dad and I were at day 1 and couldn't believe it!
DeleteYes, it's a great idea by Buxton CC. I was there the day before the snow for a Sunday League game (Glamorgan, I think) but there were no signs of the meteorological drama to come. I'd moved from the town by then but my first DCCC game was there in 1964. It's almost 40 years since the last county game there. I doubt it will ever return, although the 50-over comp has seen a resurrection of "outground" cricket. It would be great if it happened - a lovely ground.
ReplyDeleteWhen I moved up here with my family in 1989 I wrote to Derbyshire CCC asking why cricket at Buxton had ceased in 1987. I got rather a terse reply stating "The wicket at Buxton is no longer suitable for first class cricket." Quite how it had deteriorated to such an extent after the ground had hosted Derbyshire cricket for many seasons was beyond me. The Buxton Festival is a cultural event at the Opera House in the town every July. If our county committee could be persuaded to stage a fixture or two at Buxton during the Festival I am sure big crowds would be attracted and a great atmosphere would happen at this lovely ground.
DeleteI was there, with my Dad and brother. 50 years ago 😲
ReplyDeleteSteve, thanks for posting about this event and thanks for a great blog 1. Everyone is welcome to book for this event. We've tried to keep the price reasonable. We've have invited both teams and had acceptances. There will be interviews at 12.30pm before a buffet lunch lunch and Geoff will speak after. 2. We would love to host Derbyshire again. Why wouldn't the county want to bring a one day game to the High Peak, which is a strong area for cricket and county support? As I understand it that was the idea of the 50 over comp. We probably could not accommodate the 8,000 that once attended a John Player league match at the Park but the club is up for it. The wicket would be slow, low and true. 3. There are many remarkable things about 1975. Amazingly Lancashire after hammering Derbyshire on the Saturday with the bat travelled to Colchester for their JP league game and back again on the Sunday evening. a round trip of over 8 hours. Of course they did have a rest day on the Monday because of the snow. But when it was remarked that the Derbyshire players were tired last season, I think a number of old professionals might have smiled!!
ReplyDeleteSo we would love to see any supporters and friends ... book up. And it if snows again ... all the better!!
Bob Marsden
Chairman, Buxton Cricket Club