The Cricket Club has been a big part of Brooke village life since 1952 when it was started by a small group of keen players, one of which , Tom Bartram is still actively  involved with the Club as its President. The first committee meeting was held on January 29th in the Kings Head and the Committee consisted of Mr E Mackintosh (President), Mr K Starling (Chairman), Mr Watts and Mr G Patten (Vice –Chairs), Mr A Starling(General Secretary), Tom Bartram (Fixture Secretary) and Mr Harry Rosling (Team Captain). Charlie Lingwood was appointed the Club umpire.

In its first year matches were played on a meadow next to Entrance Lane which belonged to a Mr Tann. All matches were friendlies as there was no formal league operating. 1952 was also the first year of the Xmas Bingo which Tom is still organising 54 years later ! 

For its second year the cricket club moved a short distance and played matches on a field  next to the Norwich Road owned by the Barmby family. At that years AGM Tom Bartram became Club Secretary , a position he held until 1981 when he became Chairman of the Club.

The cricket was settling into its second ‘home’ and then, in 1956,  a Seething player upset Mr Barmby who responded by putting  cows on the cricket field which was not very helpful or pleasant for matches !
The committee was in crisis, Tom Bartram was on the verge of throwing in the towel. Fortunately the Mackintosh family came to the rescue – Tony Mackintosh spoke to his father Eric and he agreed to offer a field close to Brooke House to the Club. That field is still the Club ground. At the time the school was using the field but they were relocated to the area next to the present Village Hall which they are still using for sports.

In the first couple of seasons a wooden hut had to suffice for an equipment store and players had no changing rooms. There was also no running water or toilets.  George Key led a search for a pavilion but got hacked off with the time taken up with no success so offered to finance the building work. In 1958 the pavilion was erected by  a local builder Woolnough and Cogman.  To repay the personal loan social events were organised. In 1960 the Club facilities were upgraded when water was piped to the site and a separate toilet block was built. In 1984 things improved markedly when the bar and showers were put in. These new much appreciated facilities were opened by Mrs Mackintosh.

From the time the Club started using the ground two large trees were a distinctive feature as they were situated on the actual field of play. One was a large horse chestnut which stood between the pavilion and the square. This was felled by gales in 1967. The other tree, an oak, was subject to a preservation order. Both trees were a headache for players and umpires. Arguments frequently took place problems arose interpreting rules when the tree was hit by a ball and it ricocheted off. Complaints about the trees were received from opposing teams and the Norfolk Umpires Association.

The standard of cricket at the Club steadily improved over the years. In 1982 the square was extended to accommodate a second XI and the Club also joined the more competitive Norwich Union Norfolk Cricket Alliance. The large oak tree on the field then became a significant problem and complaints increased in number. After much lobbying by the thenPresident Mr G Brawn, in 1983 a felling order was obtained  and the tree was removed.

The Clubs playing history has seen a lot of change. In the early years players could play for as many teams as they wished ! One local character , John Swindells, took advantage of this to play in the Brooke 20/20 competition while normally playing for the Norwich Wanderers. The organisation of cricket steadily changed becoming increasingly structured  - Leagues were established the inevitable introduction of rules for clubs who joined them. Brooke CC has had many successful seasons. They won an annual 20 over knockout competition in 1957 and 1960 and the Norfolk League in 1976. There have been many excellent individual performancess over the years. One player, Des Baldwin, was the winner of the last EDP Cricket Bat Award in 1960. Many of the original Club members are now Vice Presidents and Life Presidents of the Club.

The social side of the Club has also been active and well supported. The first Annual Dinner was held in 1954 in the Kings Head. Its success forced a change of venue to the more spacious Village Hall. Guests at the Dinner were entertained by Bert Bradshaw a local comedian for the first 15 years it took place. Tom Bartrams nephew then took over as after dinner entertainer for several years, until dancing was brought in to end the evening. Other dances featuring a local band called the Ace of Clubs were held over several seasons when the loan from Mr Key for the pavilion building had to be repaid.. In the early years Norwich Football Club attended these events.
Social games have also been a feature of the Club. The tradition of the annual Presidents game at the end of each season, started by Mr Eric Mackintosh has continued and is now known as Tom’s Game. This fixture was originally followed by supper at Brooke House but today ends with a barbeque. Some touring teams have returned for many seasons the most notable being Potter Street who appeared every season for 23 years between 1963 and 1986. 

There are few cricket clubs which have developed in the way Brooke has in the 54 years since it was first established. Many individuals have given the support and energy needed to create a  club that runs teams in three leagues, has an active youth section and which hosts touring sides in the main part of the season. The ground is well maintained and a welcoming atmosphere within the Club attracts keen players and their families.

Hopefully this brief history gives a clear picture of the way the Club has changed over the years. The rest of the website is full of information about current activities at the Club although the Photo Gallery does have some pictures from earlier years.