Arnold Cricketers.

Arnold has had three cricket grounds, the first in Cherry Closes, which is now a market garden, opposite Red Hill Lodge; the second, the "Robin Hood" club ground, in the middle field between the late Mr. William Leverton's farmhouse and Spout Lane; the third and classic ground of the village lay in the hollow in the field opposite the "Old Spot" Hotel. It was so easily flooded that it gained from the players the name of the "wash tub." The Sandford Robinson Alms-houses are now built upon one corner of it, and the land has been raised where they stand. The scoring "tent" is still to be seen in the south corner of the lawn in the form of a fine old lime tree. On the occasion of a match, an old deal table (on which was placed a large jug of beer and a huge scoring book) was set underneath. The old book is still in existence. It shows, amongst other things, that the late Duke of St. Albans was once induced to play cricket with the youths of Arnold; and that His Grace was caught out for eight runs. The catch was quite an accident, the ball "sticking" in the fielder's hands, and so could not be dropped. No member of the team had a thought of getting rid of His Grace for so small a score.

"Old Ebor" (A. W. Pullen) of the "Yorkshire Post," writes in his book, "Old English Cricketers,"—"The name of Oscroft of Arnold, is to Notts, what that of Thewlis, of Lascelles Hall, is to Yorkshire. It represents a family of cricketers in a county nursery." The first Oscroft with sporting proclivities, was William, born 1784, and died 1859. In his day he was a good footballer, but took so much interest in cricket that he encouraged it in his six sons :— John, William, Samuel, Joseph, Thomas and James. All played the game, but the most famous of them was John, who played for his county many years, being a good batsman, and was for part of his career engaged at Lord Stanford's. Joseph was for some years a "pro." at Oswestry in Wales. Thomas played locally, and superintended the laying-down of the fine cricket ground at Bestwood Park at the request of the late Duke of St. Albans (who was a true sportsman in every way). James was a medium paced bowler and had several engagements—at Moreton-in-the-Marsh, Chester, Boston, Stourbridge and Scotland. Samuel and William were also local players; but Samuel, or "Bow" Oscroft as he was called, was an invincible pedestrian and could run a hundred yards in ten seconds, beating all the best men of his time.

It would be as well here to note other Arnold worthies who played for their county: Alfred Anthony, the wicket keeper; Joseph Sully and George Anthony. George gave good promise as a bowler and batsman, but died young from consumption. John Oscroft, Junr., brother to the William of whom we shall write later, also figured on the county ground as a bowler, and was a "pro." for some years at Wellington College.

In 1853, Thomas Oscroft was the means of bringing to Arnold "the all-England Eleven." It is needless to say that "the Eleven," at that time was the very pick of England's players. The match was played on the "Robin Hood" ground. Eye-witnesses of the match state that the ground was crowded with spectators from all parts of the county and farther. It was no small matter to get such an eleven as the " All England " to play in a country village like Arnold—with about, at that time, 3,000 inhabitants. It was the Red-letter Day in Arnold cricket, and such a collection of cricketing talent had not been seen before in Arnold, nor has it since. Every man of the "All England" being an Ajax in the art of cricket. No less than six Oscrofts took part—five of the brothers and a relation from Sutton-in-Ashfield. Here Rawson and Richards brought a small tent, and issued the first cricket score ever printed on any cricket ground in Notts. The following is the complete score:—

GRAND CRICKET MATCH.

11 OF ALL ENGLAND v. 22 OF ARNOLD.

Played on the Robin Hood Cricket Ground, Arnold, Aug. 8, 9 & 10,1853.

All England. 1st Innings.

2nd Innings.

J. Pocock, b Chambers

1

 

3

Julius Caesar, c L. Burrows, b Jas,

 

 

2

 

7

c S. Oscroft, b Chambers

2

W. Caffyn, b Jas. Oscroft

0

 

2

G. Anderson, b John Oscroft

28

 

7

J. Guy, b W. Hind

12

 

5

A. Clark, st Need, b John Oscroft

5

 

34

C. Arnold, b John Oscroft

0

b W. Hind

19

 

348

 

11

 

 

b W. Hind

1

W. Hillyer, lbw, b John Oscroft Byes 6, leg b 2, wide 5, no b 1...

0

 

0

 

14

B 6, 1-bye, w 3, n-b 2

11

 

109

 

97

Arnold. 1st. Innings

2nd Innings.

 

8

b Hillyer

12

 

10

 

5

T. Oscroft, b Hillyer

3

 

3

S. Marriott, b Clark

0 0

b Hillyer

10

J. Need, b Hillyer...

 

 

0

W. Chambers, c Caesar, b Clark

5

b Hillyer

6

 

1 2

b Clark

4

 

 

b Hillyer

12

James Oscroft, c Arnold, b Hillyer 5

 

3

 

3

b Hillyer

9

 

5

c Hillyer, b Clark

7

W. Hind, b Clark

10 5

 

0

 

 

 

0

J. Anthony, run out

4

b Caffyn

7

C. Anthony, not out

3

c Pocock, b Clark

0

S. Oscroft, b Clark

0

b Caffyn

0

F. Oscroft, c Caesar, b Hillyer

0

b Caffyn

10

S. Burrows, leg bef. w., b Clark

12

b Clark

1

 

0

b Hillyer

0

J. Fisher, b Clark

2

b Caffyn

2

 

5

 

7

N. Hind, b Hillyer

0

 

5

 

3

B 6, 1-b 3, w 1, n-b 3

13

 

86

 

116

Umpires—Arnold, Mr. J. Hull; All England, Mr. T. Box.

Printed on the ground by Rawson and Richards, St. Peter's Gate, Nottingham.

Since the Arnold team were not all native to the place, it would be as well to mention those from other districts: J. Hogg (Woodborough); S. Marriott (Gunthorpe); J. Need (Radford); W. Chambers (Kimberley, though resided in Arnold); W. Shaw (Burton Joyce); W. and N. Hind (Calverton); S. and L. Burrows (Kimberley); T. Scotton (Nottingham); F. Oscroft (Sutton-in-Ashfield); and F. Langley (Hill Top).

William Oscroft. William (son of Thomas Oscroft) was the greatest cricketer of the Oscrofts. Born in 1843, he began to play cricket as soon as he could hold a bat, and at 17 was engaged at Eastbourne where he stayed four years. Oscroft was then asked by a Notts. Committee member to play with the colts, but on the day of the match was placed among the County Eleven. A similar thing happened at Eastbourne, to quote his own words, "I was engaged for the Juniors, but taken over by the Seniors." In 1864, he and Alf. Shaw were sent up to Lord's as colts, where he "made 51 and 76 runs. Oscroft's reputation was then made. In 1865 he had the top average for Notts, with 51 runs. In this year he made 107 against Sussex—a good score at that time. In May, 1873, Oscroft played with an eleven of England v. Cambridge University, and was top scorer with 96. In this year Oscroft went to Australia with the team under the captaincy of W. G. Grace. Amongst the "pros." he made the highest individual score and the highest average. "Oscroft was one of the team taken to Canada by Richard Daft in 1879. It was one of the best teams that ever left these shores, and Oscroft gained the top average. On his return a gold watch was presented to him by his friends at Arnold as a token of their esteem." Notts, and Kent played at Canterbury in 1879, when Oscroft made 140 in one innings—the highest individual score of that season in a County match. But this notice must be brought to a close—a volume could be written of Oscroft with bat and ball, for as well as a batsman, he was a good bowler in an emergency. He was, however, essentially a batsman, and could hit in that "fine free and telling form that few could equal and none surpass." It may here be added that Oscroft's great stroke was to leg. It was a stroke naturally acquired and not the outcome of George Parr's traditions. In 1866, against Surrey, Oscroft hit a ball over the elm tree on the Bridgford side of Trent Bridge ground. The hit was measured, the distance being 135 yards. The tree is still called "George Parr's tree," from the fact that the great leg hitter used to hit over it also. This measured hit of Oscroft's still stands as a record for the "Bridges." Also it may here be mentioned that Oscroft was the last captain of the old All England Eleven.

The Rev. John Crompton, M.A., was ordained by the Bishop of Chester, and when Lecturer at All-hallows, Derby, he continued to perform all the duties of his office during the time of a raging pestilence, by which the town was so desolated that grass sprung up in the Market place. He afterwards removed to Brailsford, and thence to Arnold, where his services were very acceptable. "Upon the coming out of the Act of Uniformity, 1662, he desired not to preach there except at such times as nobody could be got to preach in the Church." "His farewell sermon upon his ejection from the vicarage of Arnold was printed in a book, now very scarce, called "England's Remembrancer." He addressed his flock very plainly and earnestly on the subject of prayer. An interesting account of him is given in Nonconformist Memorial, vol. ii., p. 275. "Arnold benefice not being considerable he rented the vicarage house where he lived till the five mile act (1666) removed him to Mapperley," near Ilkeston. ("Early Presbyterianism in Nottingham," p. 123.) He died January 9th, 1669, and was buried at West Hallam. One of his sons was a minister at Doncaster.

Benjamin Day. Mr. Stapleton notes in a certain Derbyshire Church a brass referring to Mr. Benjamin Day, late of Arnold, who departed this life July 6th, 1760, aged 94 years. The inscription was, he says, surmounted by a coat of arms, and the head of an animal resembling a leopard, with floral decorations.

Bartholomew Fillingham. The Fillinghams seem to have been an Arnold family. On November 16th, 1599, Thomas Fillingham married Anne Sulley. Possibly Bartholomew descended from this union. He was apparently a Puritan for in 1669 private meetings for religious worship were held once a week, sometimes at the house of Robert Walker, and sometimes at that of Mr. Fillingham. In 1701, Robert Fillingham was one of the witnesses of the Rev. Chadwicke's will.

When Edward Cludd made his will, dated September 28th, 1677, he left all his property to his Nephew Bartholomew Fillingham, Esq., of the City of Westminster, who is stated to have died in 1696, and by his will, among other charities, gave £30 to the poor of Arnold, from which doles of bread have for 200 years been given. John Hall was a very able Land and Tenant right Valuer, and breeder of stock. He for many years occupied the farm on the Plains called Arnold Lodge. By the sides of the road about that farm there are growing fine thorn trees or bushes every twenty or thirty yards apart. These were set, or spaced, or trained by Mr. Hall. He was buried on December 16th, 1860, aged 61 years.

Thomas Hawksley was born at Arnold on July 12th, 1807, probably at Arnot Hill. He became a great Civil Engineer, and carried out one hundred and fifty schemes for the supply of water to cities and towns, and many gas works. He was for many years in charge of the Nottingham Water Works. The building of the Bestwood Pumping Station, the Redhill Reservoir, and the supply of water to Arnold, were carried out under his direction. He was a man of great energy and ability, and became President of the Institution of Civil Engineers, and in 1878 was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, and had many foreign decorations. He insisted in all his constructions on having the best materials, and the most substantial workmanship. He died 23rd September, 1893, aged 86. It may be of interest to note that his ancestor, Thomas Hawksley, was, in 1715, Mayor of Nottingham, and for having on his bare knees, in his own house, drunk success to the Pretender, was committed to prison, and removed from his office. This act caused him to be immensely popular with the Jacobite party. His name is cut on his house at the junction of Chapel Bar and Parliament Street.

Anthony Higginbottom was born at Glossop in 1842, proceeded through Homerton College, and on the opening of the British School at Arnold, became its first master. He there brought to bear all his energy and enthusiasm. Commencing with a very small salary, and taking a portion of the grant, he had great difficulties to overcome, for at the opening, out of 120 children attending, 100 could not read the New Testament, or say the multiplication table. The premises were repeatedly enlarged, and always filled. It was his pleasure to develop character, and for 26 years of all the agencies operating for the intellectual, moral and religious improvement of the people in Arnold, none were greater than the life of Anthony Higginbottom. He was highly esteemed by all classes of the community, for whose good he laboured incessantly. He died Dec. 7th, 1895, aged 53 years.

The Rev. George F. Holcombe became Vicar of Arnold in 1811, but for many years he was non-resident, deputing his work to a curate. He was one of a type now seldom found, for he joined the work of the magistracy with that of the ministry, and was assiduous in his attendance at the Shire Hall. He had some rare social qualities, and was an excellent judge of horse-flesh. One of his remarks was, "When I came to this parish you could not say your soul was your own, but I made it so that if I had left my watch on the hedge the rascals dare not have touched it." His idea of the people was that they must be ruled with a strong hand. When in 1866 there was a great Industrial Exhibition in Nottingham, held in a temporary building where the University College now stands, Captain Starey, who lived in Daybrook House, wrote Mr. Holcombe for the use of the National School to hold a meeting to interest workmen in making articles of skill to exhibit. The reply was:—"Dear Starey, I cannot grant the use of the National School for any purpose other than that of education. Besides which I do not approve of public meetings in Arnold, well knowing that at present the inhabitants are not sufficiently intellectual for such assemblages." Such an attitude is entirely a thing of the past, and is in complete contrast to that of the present clerical workers.

Mr. Holcombe was, however, very generous to the sick poor. Port wine was in those days considered almost essential in sickness, and many a bottle of port was transferred from his cellars at Sherwood Lodge to the cottages of the sick poor.

He was moreover the first man to take active steps for the education of the children. Very few of them had any instruction except such as they obtained at Sunday School. They were set to work at seven, and few of the people could read or write (hence it was customary to give out two lines at a time in singing hymns, and this required a good choirmaster, otherwise the pitch went rapidly down). An informal educational census of a part of the parish was taken in 1869, to furnish Mr. Mundella, M.P., with material for a speech in Parliament in favour of compulsory education, which was obtained in the following year, and the common people residing at the top of the town who could read and write might be counted on the fingers. Mr. Holcombe, therefore, did well in promoting the building of the National School in 1860, at a cost of £1400, he himself contributing £400, and in the opening of the Infant School on Nottingham Road in 1845.

Mr. Holcombe died on August 24th, 1872, aged eighty-four years, having been Vicar (the tablet in the church says "Rector") sixty-one years. He was also Rector of Brindly, in Cambridgeshire. His father had, like himself, lived to the good age of eighty-one, and was Rector of Matlock (1780) fifty-six years, and at the same time Rector of West Leake thirty-two years, and held other offices, and he also was a Justice of the Peace and a distinguished farmer. He died from a chill received at the funeral of Mr. Wilberforce.

Mr. Holcombe seldom preached; his Curate, the Rev. George Atkinson, was a very accessible, kind-hearted, humble minded man.

The Rev. William Howard was, from 1833 to 1838, Curate in charge, and had a school for young gentlemen, some of whom became prominent. While Mr. Howard continued to minister at the Church he laboured in a most exemplary manner for the welfare of the people, and was greatly loved and respected by all classes, the result being that there were week by week large congregations, the Sunday School had upwards of three hundred scholars, and a good supply of voluntary teachers. On Monday evenings, reading, writing, and arithmetic were taught by his daughter and other ladies. He was afterwards Vicar of St. John's, Nottingham, in 1844, and later Rector of St. Peter's, and in his declining days (1866) Rector of Clifton. His daughter became the wife of Mr. Wright Allen, and was a good and useful worker in matters helpful to the people of the parish. Mr. Howard died in 1873, aged 83 years.

William Huddlestone came to Arnold early in 1798. He was one of the managers of the large cotton and worsted mill which then stood at the south of the pleasure lake of Arnot Hill house, and through his instrumentality the old Meadows Chapel afterwards the Infant School, standing east of Nottingham Road was built. He was a man of considerable force of character and became an active and acceptable local preacher, speaking with great warmth of affection and energy, elegant, lively and pathetic. He was strongly urged to become a clergyman and preferment was held out to him but declined, as was also the Methodist Ministry. He had a family of ten children, and was a pattern of conjugal and paternal affection. He died in 1816.

John Hutchinson—always called Captain Hutchinson—lived at Daybrook many years, and died there in 1872, aged 85. He was a yarn agent. In early life he served in the Army, and was at Corunna, and close to Sir John Moore when he was shot. He went through the Peninsular War, and with his regiment served in the West Indies, North America, &c. He was a man of strict integrity with a strong will. He was buried at Bilborough.

George W. Leigh, who died in 1886 at the age of 75, was a capable surgeon and for many years lived at "the Grove," a fine old house south of the Church. "The Grove" was built in the 18th century by the Turbutt family (now of Ogston Hall, Chesterfield) and was inhabited by them until about 80 years ago. It was an interesting example of a small country house of the 18th century.

Moira House

Lord Moira occasionally occupied the house now called "Moira House," for many years occupied by Dr. Allen, and since by other medical men.

It appears that Lord Moira was in the habit of entertaining very hospitably French refugees, and others, among whom was the exiled Dauphin of France, who, after the battle of Waterloo, in 1815, was made King, with the title of Louis XVIII. He was a frequent guest during the hunting season, and on his leaving the country the generous lord as a token of friendship presented the future King with a horse worth two hundred guineas. Lord Moira was also a friend of the Prince Regent, who became George IV., and had to pay the penalty of friendship by finding a good deal of money for the lavish Prince. This is said to have straitened Lord Moira so that he had to sell part of his estates at Loughborough, Ashby and Castle Donington, but he was afterwards compensated by being appointed Governor General of India with an allowance of £40,000 a year. In the hunting season Lord Moira's hounds were kept in kennels where Bentwell House was afterwards built, for many years the residence of the Leverton family. It was stated that the annual cost of the hounds, horses, and attendants was eight thousand pounds.