Changing scenes in Barkway
A regular publication existed in Barkway from its founding in 1972 up to the late 1980s. This was entitled the Barkway Society Newsletter. The following contribution from Dorothy Bond (nee Thrussell) was printed in the December 1976 edition.
Barkway like many other villages has, over the years, seen many changes. Eighty years ago most Saturdays during the summer one would see our local tradesmen and village workers making their way up Church Lane to what was known as Church Mead. There a game of cricket would be played by the Barkway Cricket team.
The cricket pitch was kindly given to Barkway by Mr John Sworder, who lived at Manor Farm. The captain of the team was Mr Woodhouse, who lived at Newsells Park, and the team consisted of many well known names such as Rev. Stubbs, our much loved vicar, A Sharp our village blacksmith, V Pledger and W Burr (butchers), W P Burr (baker), F Thrussell and C James (carpenters), E Roberts and J Castle (coachmen), Stumpy Watson, H Machon, Renee, Osbourne, and the village policeman.
Mr H Whitby, better known as “Dink”, who still lives in the village was chief scorer, and when a match was played away, he was privileged to travel in Mr Woodhouse’s car, sitting on the floor, as it was only a two seater. Bicycles would be the only other means of travelling around. When cash was needed Mr Woodhouse would ask his friends, many of whom were artists, to put on a show in Barkway school, and needless to say this resulted in a ‘Full House’.
When the 1914-18 War broke out several members of the team went on active service, and their places were taken by the younger men of the village. After the war about 1922, Barkway Cricket team joined up with Newsells, and they played at Newsells Park.
Church Mead has also seen many other gatherings, such as Coronation and Jubilee celebrations of our late Kings and Queens. In Church Mead now stands a Georgian style house (Manyons) which was owned by Mr M H Piercy, but has recently been sold to Mr D Rand, who has now taken up residence there.