Westley Cricket 1956

First of all I must introduce myself; my name is Brian Cunningham and my family and I moved down to Langdon Hills in 1950; from London like many others.  We lived at number 17 St. David’s Road. My elder brother Glen, who appears in some of the pictures, went on in later life to play for the club.  I think that at one time most of the players that formed Westley club had played for the Langdon Hills club on the Crown Hill, but there was a schism. What I first remember about the club is clearing the ground of many stones while watching my father, along with many others, build the
pavilion. How long this all took I cannot remember since I was quite young at the time.

These pictures are of the opening cricket match against Westcliff cricket club where Trevor Bailey bowled the first ball. Richard Cunningham, that is my father, was one of the founder members of the club; he played for them until his early 50s.  I did play for the team a few times, but only when they could not find anyone else.  I will attach a note to each photograph where I can, but it would be interesting to know if anyone else can throw any light on the day.