Trent Bridge’s Wynne-Thomas Library will be open to one and all on Tuesday 4 and Friday 7 October, as part of celebrations of the national Libraries Week initiative.
The library, the second-largest of its kind in the world, will be open from 11am until 3pm on both days, with visitors free to peruse the extensive selection of cricket literature on its bookshelves.
Lunchtime talks, meanwhile, will bring tales of cricket’s past to life:
Tuesday 4 October at 1:10 pm: ‘Cricket in verse’
Listen to a range of poems associated with Nottinghamshire cricket – and the stories behind these verses.
You’ll hear a tribute to a great all-rounder, criticism of a tragic opening batsman, the story of a village cricket match, a poem inspired by a painting that hangs in the Pavilion at Trent Bridge, an account of the ‘Bodyline’ series, an ode to the founder of Trent Bridge and a celebration of the ground’s centenary.
Friday 7 October at 1:10 pm: ‘They were cricketers too’
Hear the stories of two great Nottingham sportsmen – one a top jockey, the other a famous bare-knuckle fighter – and discover their cricketing exploits.
- David Dunford, author of ‘Baroness Daisy, the jockey’s wife’ will talk about George Williamson, still the only person to have won both the Grand National and the Velka Pardubicka, the toughest steeplechase in continental Europe. George was also ‘a cricketer of some ability’ and once umpired a single-wicket contest at Trent Bridge.
- Alan Dawson of the Bendigo Memorial Fund will tell us about William ‘Bendigo’ Thompson. Nottingham’s legendary prize-fighter was not just the undefeated All-England Champion and ‘the original southpaw’, he was also a useful cricketer and a regular visitor to Trent Bridge from 1840.
Visitors are welcome to bring their own refreshments to the talks if desired, with free tea and coffee also provided.