Cricket Club Pavilion & Car Park Development Appeal

Keith Chambers has recently launched an appeal to raise £300,000 in order to build a new community club pavilion and car park at Rainham Cricket Club. This will assist the club to continue to develop young cricketers (6 to 17 year olds) and improve the facilities for all in the community. 

This project is dear to Keith who has had several members of his family from different generations (himself included) play for the cricket club. 

Rainham Cricket Club was originally formed in 1856 by two wealthy local farmers Richard Mansfield Wakeley and Thomas Dodd. Another farmer named James Miles allowed them to play in his meadow at Siloam Farm situated in the present Mierscourt Road. The players were mainly resident in Rainham from different backgrounds and were trained in the art of cricket by Messrs Wakeley and Dodd, who had previously played for Gore Court. 

The first match was played on July 2nd, 1856 at Siloam Farm against the Angel Club, Strood, which Strood won. However, from 1857 more fixtures were arranged against clubs like Selling, Milton, Gore Court and Throwley and under the captaincy of Richard Wakeley, Rainham progressed to become one of the strongest sides in the area during the late 1850s. 

So there you have it; lots of history and heritage associated with this cricket club – and you can help to preserve and extend this history by making a donation or by sending a message to Keith to show your support. 

Keith can be contacted on 07989 799945 and 01634 361690 or by email at madogkeith@btinternet.com - I know he’d be pleased to hear from you (and even more delighted if you were to make a donation).