The Home of Hampshire Cricket Heritage Ltd.
Hampshire Cricket has a very proud and rich heritage stretching back over a few hundred years, to at least the days of John Nyren at Hambledon in the late 18th Century. As the Hampshire Handbook (which dates back to 1885 and originally called the Hampshire Cricketer's Guide) shows, so many people have invested so much time to write about and preserve all the various memories and artefacts associated with cricket being played in and by the county. Since 1945, vital names to mention, among many others, would include former captain and secretary Desmond Eagar and Charlie Knott. In the modern era at the end of the 20th Century, Dave Allen and Neil Jenkinson were instrumental in creating Hampshire Cricket Heritage as it now looks today. Dave was Chairman of the original Museum Sub-Committee of the former HCCC, back in the 1990's, which then became the club's Heritage Committee. He has given unstinting service to the development of Hampshire Cricket Heritage to the current day. Dave played an invaluable role in shaping the look of the pavilion at the Utilita Bowl before Covid to ensure that the rich history of Hampshire cricket is duly celebrated for all visitors to enjoy. The very informative white display boards about different aspects of Hampshire cricket - which previously adorned the Atrium - now reside in the Archive Room. Meanwhile, the various beautiful permanent wooden Honours Boards and John Arlott quotes, still up and around the Atrium, are all examples of Dave's contribution to making our club's pavilion truly unique. His eye for detail and artistic flair, both in his publications and displays, continue to leave a rich legacy. Dave has been supported by many others during his long association with Hampshire cricket - as the Club moved to the current ground at the start of the 21st Century - including most notably Richard Binns, Bob Murrell, Stephen Saunders, Terry Crump, Richard Griffiths and David Ackland.
Hampshire Cricket Heritage Ltd was formed in 2019 to maintain and exhibit a collection of artefacts, ephemera and memorabilia (The ‘Archive’) relating to all aspects of cricket played in and by Hampshire. Hampshire Cricket Heritage Ltd has a long-term purpose and holds the Archive in trust for the benefit of the public. The Archive has altruistic objectives: it is for the benefit, enjoyment and engagement of all members of society for study and research, and to generally promote an enjoyment and understanding of cricket and its social, cultural and community impacts.The Archive managed by Hampshire Cricket Heritage Ltd is very rich in historic material relating to people, places and events from the origins of cricket in Hampshire to the present day.
Hampshire Cricket Heritage is established as a limited by guarantee company with no shareholders and with no Directors benefiting from any profitable trading revenue. HCH has the intention of managing an archive of Hampshire cricket history and delivering educational, social and community benefits, specifically by working in partnership with entities and organisations to protect, maintain, purchase and display artefacts, ephemera and memorabilia. HCH also explores funding opportunities and applications as necessary to meet its aims and objectives. Hampshire Cricket Heritage Ltd. will seek, when necessary, to procure grants independently or in association with third parties in order to maximise the aims and objectives of Hampshire Cricket Heritage Ltd.
Since 2019, John Winter, Glen Williams and Ray Stubbington have joined Dave Allen, Richard Griffiths and David Ackland to form the current team, now striving to help HCH achieve its stated aims. We receive great support from the club through Xander Bird, Greig Stewart, Rob Pfeiffer and all the shop staff to name but a few. We here at HCH are a committed group of volunteers, very conscious that we are all temporary custodians, helping to shape the next phase of a proud and professional organisation, which is dedicated to preserving a meaningful and enduring legacy that truly honours the rich heritage of Hampshire Cricket.