Chingford Cricket Club

1932 is the only season in Club history that the First Eleven have gone unbeaten. There were some tremendous players in the side and those that made 10 or more appearances are listed in the roll of honour below

The full results were:

*From the games we know about

Len Parslow was the leading run scorer with 1004, including centuries v Edmonton, LC Eastman’s XI and Beddington, while Don Spencer made 874, including 128 v Barnstormers and Syd Spicer made 773. Many big totals were made on the billiard table wickets produced by the Groundsman by the name of Hall.

Don Spencer took a hat-trick in the Sunday XIs victory over CR Collier’s XI and was leading wicket taker with 71 – his best analysis was an impressive 8-48 v Edmonton. Not too far behind were of course, Gordon Downes with 50 and Bill Adamson with 47.

Sat 18 June saw the 1^st XI at home to Leigh on Sea. Chingford scored 271-8 and in reply both sides agreed to play on until 8.45pm to try and get a result. It is unclear as to why the visitors agreed to this bearing in mind they closed at 131-8 and still had to get home!

At the end of Cricket Week on Saturday 6 August a 1^st XI match was arranged with Old Actonians to fill in a gap on the fixture list. Old Actonians were dismissed for 51, with William Sandrock taking 5-14. In reply the ruthless Chingford batsmen helped themselves to 375 all out! Leading the way with the bat in this mammoth total were Stanley Bland (120) and Noel Westerhout (87), while Don Spencer (80) – who had dropped down the order to no 10 and Gordon Downes (40*) shared a Club record last wicket stand of 113. 

On Saturday the 2A Eleven travelled to Blades Athletic where the match was lost but Chingford took some consolation in that they had the privilege of playing against Lord Ebbersham.

Cyril Arkell took a superb 8-11 for the 2B Eleven in their fixture with RAF North Weald. However George Chapman was to beat this when he turned in the second best analysis in the Club’s history when he delivered an amazing 13-3-17-9 in the fixture at Winchester CC.

Meanwhile the first of many rows had broken out between the Club and the innkeeper at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel over a willow tree behind the bowlers arm at the “Lizzy” end of the ground. The Club wanted the tree pruned but the innkeeper didn’t and at one point a commando raid was being considered.

The Committee authorised purchase of a rope extended from the Tea Pavilion to the Tennis Courts to section off an area where Hon Members would be guaranteed a seat.

1932 was the final year of Presidency of the Rev C B Howard Knight , with GJ Bell taking over the reins. This was reported in The Guardian on 9 September 1932, and this article tells you about one of our Past Presidents:

THE REV CBH KNIGHT TO LEAVE CHINGFORD TO BECOME VICAR OF FEERING

The Rev CBH Knight MC MA who for more than seven years has been Rector of Chingford is to take up his duties as vicar of Feering near Kelvedon Essex in the near future probably at about the end of October. Prior to becoming Rector of Chingford, the Rev Mr Knight was vicar of St Barnabas Church Walthamstow. He as instituted in January 1925 by Dr Guy Warman who was then Bishop of Chelmsford but who subsequently became Bishop of Manchester and he was inducted by Canon HP Lampen who at the time was Rural Dean. Canon Lampen was later appointed vicar of Toppesfield Essex.

During the time that the Rev Mr Knight has been associated with the Chingford Parish Church he with Mrs Knight have taken a keen and active interest in the welfare of the district. A fearless type of padre he is a man who commands respect and his keenness and enthusiasm for the younger members of his Church earned for him the admiration and friendship of many. Sporting and social activities have benefited considerably during his ministry. He is greatly interested in cricket and in addition to serving as president of the Chingford Cricket Club he has on many occasions taken his place in the side and has also assisted the Clergy of Essex team.

One event of outstanding importance during his connection with the Parish of Chingford has been the renovation of the Old Church situated at the top of Chingford Mount and which until recently had been in a state of ruin for nearly three quarters of a century.

It is twenty five years ago since the Rev Knight entered the Church. He became a deacon in 1907 and was ordained a priest two years later, A Chaplain to the Forces during the Great War he was decorated with the MC and he still retains the rank of Hon Chaplin to the Forces.  

In the Tennis Section, Norman Tyrrell was the Captain and Mr GC Haines Vice-Captain. The Cornish Challenge Cup was won by Mrs W J Birt (Ladies’ Singles) and Mr James Wisbey (Men’s Singles) and the Petingall-Norbury Trophy (Mixed Doubles) was won by Miss K Ward and Stanley Bland . In matches the results were Played 10 W1 D1 L8

There seems to have been some uncertainty over the future of the ground and at the AGM on 18 November it was proposed that a sub-committee be formed and

Their business will be to enter into the question of obtaining another ground and the raising of necessary finance.

Apparently the Club made enquiries to Whitbread’s concerning the possible purchase of the ground. Whitbread’s were not prepared either to extend the lease or sell the freehold and the Club therefore approached the Council to purchase the ground on its behalf.