A PASSION for cricket, a fondness for pubs and a liking for a decent pint or two have led to the renaissance of Swindon’s Beehive Cricket Club.

Based at the quirky pub on Old Town’s Prospect Hill, the Beehive CC does not have a pitch, but what it lacks in terms of open green space it makes up for with enthusiasm. The team has 30 matches lined up for the 2018 season.

“We are willing to travel anywhere, within reason, for a decent friendly match as long as there is a cracking pub or clubhouse to retire to after,” said team manager Jason Moore.

The Beehive had a cricket club in the early 90s, he said, but it faded out until Jason and club captain Tom Blake decided to reinvent it in 2015. Now they lay claim to be the only pub-based cricket club in the whole of Swindon. Their 2018 fixtures include a mix of pub and club sides, ranging from nearby neighbours the Swindon Nomads to far away Moreton-in-Marsh Cricket Club, in the north Cotswolds.

“From veterans and refugees from the rigours of Saturday league cricket to willow wielding virgins; ability comes a close second to the love of the summer game and the love of a good pint after!” proclaims the Beehive CC’s excellent website.

“We had a couple of games in 2013, and in 2015 resurrected the whole idea of a club,” said Jason, who works as a barman at the Beehive. “Last year, it’s fair to say we lost a few more matches than we won – but it’s taking part that’s important, and the love of a good pint after. It’s a glorious English summer game.

“We both thought that cricket was the perfect sport for a pub team. It’s more of a community game. If you’re batting, only two of the team are on the pitch at any one time, while the rest are all relaxing. It’s a very sociable game.”

Tom said: “We have a massive mix of players, with lots who used to pay Saturday league but can’t now commit to playing every Saturday, if they have become parents, maybe.”

He said he had played a bit of cricket at school, and often played as an adult. Jason does not play, but manages and organises the team, as well as keeping score.

“I do everything off the pitch,” he said. “Over the winter I contacted all the clubs and drew up the fixtures for this season. We have 30 games booked in.”

Last summer, the Beehive team found themselves hobnobbing with celebrity Charlie Cooper, who created and starred in the BBC’s comedy This Country and plays for the Siddington Cricket Club. They also took part in the Miserden Eights Music and Cricket Festival in July – a three-day celebration of cricket, music and beer with teams from all around Bath, Bristol, South Wales and the Cotswolds.

One match at Avebury proved particularly entertaining as it took place on the evening of the summer solstice, with many picturesquely dressed pagans and revellers celebrating among the standing stones.

“Now that was an interesting crowd,” Jason reminisced.

His match reports are vivid and humorous, and his account of another memorable cricket match at Avebury is an entertainment in itself. He writes:

“Heavy rain was forecast today, but at least we didn’t have the outrageous weirdness of this years earlier match here on the summer solstice. Wolfy was clothed and sober, there were no wandering hippies dressed as ragged hedges and, importantly, Avebury couldn’t call upon dark heathen solstice ceremonies to protect them from the potent Beehive bowling attack.”

“In an attempt to complete the game before the expected rain, there was no tea between innings. Considering Avebury’s problem with flies on this day, this was probably wise as each luscious looking lemon cake and freshly made uncurled cheese and cucumber sandwich would undoubtedly have come with some additional unwanted insect protein.

“Despite archaeologists probing the Neolithic secrets of Avebury for centuries they still haven’t discovered the answer to the deepest arcane mystery of all - just why is the cricket pavilion here always interminably infested by furious filthy flies?”

His account of the match against Moreton-in-Marsh similarly captures the spirit of the occasion.

“In 1886 legendary cricketer WG Grace strode out to bat on his debut for Gloucestershire on this pitch and scored just nine runs. 131 years later, Beehive opener Kieran Kelly knocked 56 here making him officially better than W G Grace at this ground,” he records.

“Arriving at Moreton-in-Marsh in stunning Cotswolds summer sunshine, The Beehive looked briefly around at the sumptuous surroundings and fully expected to receive a huge dramatic thumping.

“This was undeniably the finest ground we’ve managed to blag our way onto so far: historic, beautiful, outstanding facilities, painting of famous cricketers, plush leather sofas in the pavilion and, of course, a fully stocked bar for the peasants of Swindon to make themselves known at.”

The Beehive CC logo is a bee, in honour of the pub, and was designed by Old Town illustrator and Beehive pub-goer Fred Blunt. Around 30 people have joined the club, enough to field an 11-strong team every Sunday, but more members would be welcome. Ages range from 18 to 60, and all levels of experience and ability.

The team prepares with practice sessions at Croft Sports Centre and St Joseph’s, with a couple of net sessions to hone their skills. The Beehive CC also prides itself on serving the finest post-match cricket tea in Swindon.

Between April and September, the Beehive side will be playing most Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons. You can catch them playing the White Horse Cricket Club at Broad Hinton at 2pm on Sunday May 13, or closer to home, against the Dorcan School Teachers XI, at St Joseph’s, on Wednesday May 23 at 6pm.

The Beehive pub has long been an active community venue, with a programme of live music, art exhibitions and a regular poetry night. It serves a range of six quality Real Ales, a new range of craft beers and features in The Good Beer Guide. If you fancy joining the Beehive CC – or want to challenge them to a match – contact Jason via the club’s website www.beehivecricket.wordpress.com.