Three stumps, one afternoon, and a few pairs of hands needed

On Sunday 6 September, Broadhalfpenny Down marks 250 years since cricket gained its third stump; and we need volunteers to help the day run properly.

The story is worth knowing. In 1775, Chertsey's Edward "Lumpy" Stevens sent three deliveries clean between John Small's two stumps without so much as brushing the bail. Not out, said the law. Lumpy was robbed, said everyone watching. Within months the game's leading figures - men who met and argued across the road at the Bat & Ball - had added a middle stump. It has been there ever since.

We expect a bigger crowd than usual. Free entry, a 12:30pm start, a proper piece of cricket history.

We need volunteers for four jobs:

• Car park steward; getting up to 30 cars in the ground safely

• Merchandise and raffle seller; the day's fundraising depends on this

• Tea and cake assistants; the most important role at any village cricket ground, and we won't pretend otherwise

• Ground preparation; covers, sightscreens and pavilion, before and after play.

None of it requires expertise. Most of it requires a couple of hours, a willingness to be useful, and reasonable cheerfulness.

In addition, we are asking every Brigand to bring either a bottle (for the raffle), a cake, or some sandwiches so that we have enough for players, officials and spectators on the day.

Broadhalfpenny Down has never been run by anyone other than the people who care about it. That was true in 1775 and it is true now. This is a day the ground will be remembered for, and it would be a shame to look back on it thinking we could have done it better with two more people on the gate.

Please leave a comment below, or contact Gerry Northwood on 07952 866117. Tell him which role suits you and roughly what time you can give. He will do the rest.

Broadhalfpenny Brigands v Chertsey CC. Sunday 6 September 2026, 12:30pm–5:30pm. Broadhalfpenny Down, near Hambledon, Hampshire, PO8 0UB. Free entry, all welcome.