150 turn out to cricket club celebrations (From Bucks Free Press)

150 turn out to cricket club celebrations in Wooburn Park

4:29pm Tuesday 28th June 2011 in News By Lawrence Dunhill

MORE than 150 cricketers past and present turned out to Wooburn Narkovians' 75th anniversary match at the weekend.

Old Narks Day on Sunday saw four teams, both young and old, compete against each other for the Harry Pidgeon Trophy in Wooburn Park.

The Chairman's XI, led by Angus Porter, ran out winners with Ben Barker the star player.

Derek Milsom, club president, said: “It was fantastic to see so many current and old Narks enjoying the day, with old friends reminiscing while the cricket gently played in the background.

“I’m sure that the founding members would have been delighted to see that the Narkovian spirit is still as strong today as it was when they first met at Wooburn Working Men's Club all those years ago.”

The 'club with the talismanic name' was formed in 1936, when there was already a Wooburn Park Cricket Club using the park.

The name 'Narkovians' derived from a charitable organisation which most of the players belonged to, the Narkover College, which funded soup kitchens in London. Though the link with the college was lost during the war years, the name stuck.

The club is also hosting a Kwik Cricket tournament on July 17, before an anniversary dinner at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Marlow on October 15, with England selector Geoff Miller the guest speaker.

Ex-players can call the club on 01628 819482 or email info@wncc.co.uk to get involved in the anniversary celebrations.