History
Pre 1931
Cricket in Prees dates back to 1862, with football, tennis and bowls played on various local fields. Village meetings and club activities were held in the Reading Room, Church Street, a building donated to the village in 1914 by Captain R.A. Black who lived in Prees Hall.
1931–1932
In 1931, during the Great Depression, the club purchased 3.9 acres of land on Brades Road for £170, funded by public donations. This was a unique situation for a sporting club to be owners of its own ground. The ground officially opened on 1 June 1932, and the club became Prees Cricket and Recreation Club, securing permanent ownership of its playing fields.
1933–1945
Early development included a cricket pavilion, tennis courts and a bowling green laid in 1933. Despite wartime disruption, bowls and tennis continued, and the ground remained protected for community use. In 1935, the village celebrated King George V’s Silver Jubilee on the ground and also the Coronation of King George VI in 1937. A timber bowls pavilion was erected and remained in situ until 1976 when it was relocated and became a store until 2006.
1946–1960
In 1948, the adjoining land was developed by Wem Council and 32 dwellings were built. They became known as Harvern Gardens, named after councillor Harold Vernon Powell. Post-war investment brought mains electricity, water and improved facilities. On 2nd June 1953, the village celebrated the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. A new brick pavilion was opened by A.G.B. Owen of Rubery Owen on 3rd September 1960, supporting the growing participation across cricket, bowls, football and tennis.
1961–1980
Mr Herbert W Batkin completed 35 years as treasurer from 1927. In 1963, a licensed bar was installed with an elected bar committee and the club rules were amended to accommodate the licensing laws.
In 1965, a parcel of adjoining land was leased from Mr James Bridge, to become a football pitch. In 1990 it was generously bequeathed to the club. A tenancy for nearly 2 acres was secured on the church commissioners land for 25 years. Floodlighting was installed around the bowling green in 1969.
1973 – A major ground improvement was undertaken to include the church land and the defunct tennis courts, turning them into a relocated cricket pitch. Additional land was purchased on the northern boundary and a second bowling green was developed in 1976. Ladies’ hockey and growing football activity strengthened the club’s sporting portfolio. Extensions and alterations to the pavilion were undertaken to provide a bowls pavilion and balcony. The ladies hockey section lasted for 24 years but ended with the advent of mandatory astroturf pitches for league matches.
1981–1999
A bowls-marking pavilion was opened in 1983 to commemorate the long association with the club of Mr Lesley Ford and Mr Neil Batkin. Mr Harry L Unwin completed 21 years as president in 1986. In 1991, the club purchased the neighbouring property known as Camsley with 4 acres of land for £73,500 and in 1993 the Church commissioners land was purchased for £5,606.56. These land purchases enabled significant redevelopment. A new cricket square was completed in 1996, and a multi-purpose sports pitch opened in 1997, opened by Sybil Ruscoe a national media presenter. The facility was made possible by generous sponsorship from Grocontinental and grant money from the Sportsmatch scheme.
2000–Present
In 2003, a replacement bowling green was constructed using local sandy soil. An automatic water irrigation system was connected, floodlights installed and maintenance-free gutters and pathways built around both greens.
The new clubhouse opened for Christmas 2005, a major capital project costing almost £600,000. It was funded by the sale of phase two of the housing development land and built by local builders W T Hopwood & Son and Stan Richards & Sons, creating a modern sporting and social hub. At this time, Paul Prince took on the role of Club Treasurer, a vital role on the committee. Twenty years on, Paul continues in this position and is well-respected for his commitment and loyalty. He has diligently overseen many new investments and schemes at the club, always keeping the club’s finances well on-track.
Since 2006, membership has grown, facilities have continued to improve and key milestones were celebrated in 2007 and 2015. The raising of funds is the most important item on the agenda as the money enables the club to maintain the property and make improvements to the facility. Lawrence and Maggie Allen were the driving force behind many fundraising and social events.
A new Club Manager was appointed, namely Gary Dawson and together with his wife Jan presided over the establishment and development of the club offering first-class facilities for multiple sports, social and hospitality events. They stayed in position for almost two decades.
The Junior Football section has grown tremendously during this period and Prees has become well known for hosting many football tournaments through the season, attracting hundreds of players and visitors to the village.
In 2012, the club became a Queen Elizabeth II Field (managed by Fields in Trust, formerly the National Playing Fields Association). The scheme was launched as part of the Queen’s Diamond programme to protect 1,392 parks and green spaces throughout the UK from alternative development.
The all-weather pitch was upgraded to a modern 3G pitch in 2013 with funding provided by Sport England. Prees came out of the Cricket League in 2018 due to insufficient numbers of players, but the club remained strong and diverse in other activities.
Over its lifetime, the club has engaged many local people to maintain the facilities, with the office holders working diligently to provide governance and stewardship often on a voluntary basis.
This chronology was compiled by Mike Batkin with factual information from the minute books from 1931 – 2007. Mike gave a lifetime commitment to the club. He was the best batsman the club had ever had, winning the Batting Cup 18 times – 13 of which were consecutive wins!
He was Club Secretary for 22 years before becoming the President, he maintained the playing fields for 40 years. Sadly, Mike passed away in 2014.
Ray Grocott took over the position of President from Mike and remained in position until his death in 2023, aged 89. He continued to bring energy, drive, leadership and enthusiasm right until the end. Many of the facilities were funded by Ray’s generosity.
Brian Hughes was elected as Club’s President, having served as Club Secretary for 12 years.
In 2023 Kelly Edge, supported by her husband Andy, took over from Gary and Jan Dawson. They continue to boost the club membership and have re-introduced adult football teams, darts and pool teams. 2026 will see the return of Prees entering a team into the Cricket League.
From a bold decision in 1931 to a thriving modern facility today, Prees Cricket and Recreation Club stands as a lasting example of community commitment, voluntary effort and village pride.
It is acknowledged that only a few names have been mentioned, but the survival of the club has depended on the voluntary ethos of so many members, too many to mention, but none the less they are all recognised, valued and greatly appreciated.
Edited by Linda Grocott 2026
