An update from the Lancashire Cricket Heritage Committee
Lancashire Cricket's New Library
A new Lancashire Cricket Heritage committee was formed in November 2021. This is chaired by Lee Morgan (Club Secretary and former Finance Director of Lancashire Cricket) and also includes Paul Allott and Warren Hegg, with other representatives from the Club as well as the existing Heritage Team volunteers.
The demolition of the old Red Rose building has commenced and there are detailed plans to develop the site, which will incorporate a celebration of Lancashire Cricket, Emirates Old Trafford and regional cricket heritage. However, in the meantime the Club’s Heritage committee is working through ideas for other heritage initiatives, details of which will be communicated in due course.
One objective that will be completed before the start of the season is the new Library, information for which is detailed below:
Where is the new library situated?
The library is now at the south end of the ground in the Indoor Cricket Centre and can be accessed through the Club Shop.
When will the library be open?
The library will be open at all LV=County Championship matches and the Royal London Cup before play and during the lunch and tea intervals. In the winter, the library will also be open on most Mondays from 10.00am until 2.00pm. In addition, if a Member wishes to use the library at other times, they should please contact one of our volunteers using the email contact provided at the end of this communication.
What is contained in the library?
- Over 4,000 books, files and folders of photographs. The stock of books contains Wisdens, Lillywhites and Histories of first-class counties.
- Complete sets of The Cricketer, Wisden Cricket Monthly, Playfair Cricket Monthly, The Cricketer Quarterly etc.
- Histories of cricket clubs in Lancashire and Cheshire and research material.
- The Neville Cardus archive comprising over 2,000 items, letters, manuscripts etc.
- A collection of scrapbooks of Lancashire and international cricket including those of Arthur Appleby and Walter Brearley, Len Hopwood, Johnny Briggs and others.
- Various biographies of first-class cricketers and many other important reference books on cricket.
Does the library sell books?
Yes, there is a large stock of surplus books which are available for purchase at very reasonable prices. It is hoped that in the near future we may publish a catalogue of these books.
Will the library accept donations of books?
All donations will be gratefully received. If a donation includes books that the library already has then such books will be sold to the general public and the proceeds used to purchase new books and other materials for the library.
What are the future plans for the library?
We have secured two desk top computers and a scanner. With this equipment we aim to link up to other cricket heritage sites and have the facility to show old Lancashire Cricket matches and prepare interviews with old players. We would welcome more volunteers, so please contact us if you are interested.
The Heritage volunteers who have helped with the new Library: Rev Malcolm Lorimer, Keith Hayhurst, David Masey, David Young, Bob Hilton, Ken Grime, William Greenwood, John Thorp and Anthony Martin.
How do I contact any member of the Lancashire Heritage team?
Please email us on: heritage@lancashirecricket.co.uk