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Mayor of Bath Joins Celebration as Lansdown Cricket Club Hosts First-Ever Schools Festival
Lansdown Cricket Club marked its 200th anniversary in style by hosting the first-ever Bath Schools Cricket Festival.
Lansdown Cricket Club marked its 200th anniversary in style by hosting the first-ever Bath Schools Cricket Festival—an all-day celebration of sport, collaboration, and community spirit held at the club’s historic Combe Park ground.
The event welcomed Councillor Professor Bharat Pankhania, the Mayor of Bath, who joined nearly 100 students from all twelve of Bath’s secondary schools. In a landmark for the city, pupils from state and independent schools were mixed into joint teams, playing friendly round-robin fixtures throughout the day under the guidance of Somerset County and Western Storm cricketer, Mollie Robbins.
Supported by generous sponsors Goughs Solicitors and Mainly Media, the festival was the brainchild of Andy Greenhough, Headteacher at Oldfield School. His vision, backed by enthusiastic collaboration from across the city’s schools, aimed to respond directly to the England and Wales Cricket Board’s call for greater inclusivity in the sport, particularly among state-educated pupils.
"It all started with a meeting David Dolman, Honorary Life Member at Lansdown Cricket Club last summer,"* said Mr Greenhough. "To see all 12 schools competing, supporting one another and breaking down barriers was heartening. What better way to do this than playing cricket!"
The day ended with medals and trophies presented by the Mayor, Mollie Robbins, and Winston Duguid, Chair of the Somerset County Cricket Club Foundation. A highlight came with the joint state-independent school teams Kingswood and Oldfield School taking home the winner’s shield—marking a symbolic success not just in sport, but in unity.
Lansdown CC Chairman Scott Longstaff described the festival as part of a longer-term commitment:
"This festival is one piece of our broader strategy to promote cricket in local schools. By offering regular coaching through our qualified team, we hope to inspire the next generation of cricketers. These children are our future."
With ambitious plans already brewing for next year’s event, Bath’s cricketing future looks bright—and brilliantly inclusive. You can view the picture album from the day here.