It was back in 1981 that Botham set the Ashes alight, The Royal Wedding captured the nations hearts and Bucks Fizz won Eurovision. And in rural Mid-Suffolk, a few miles west of historic Framlingham, Worlingworth CC was born.
The Community Centre playing field at Worlingworth was purchased by the village in 1978 and during the summer of 1979 the first ever cricket match was organised by the Community Council when a strip of coconut matting was laid on the field to act as the wicket. The date was Saturday the 18th August, as the west end of the village played the east end in a 20 overs a side match.
Further matches were organised by the Community Council which led to the laying of a grass cricket wicket when turf from the cricket square at Horsford in Norfolk, which was being replaced, was brought to Worlingworth to be relaid. This led to the formation of the Cricket Club ready for the 1981 season.
It had certainly been a nomadic experience being a Worlingworth 1st XI player with home matches being played away from the village in Framlingham, as the club outgrew the shared community facilities in the village. A permanent new home was found in the neighbouring village of Bedfield in 2006, and with significant player input, ensured that the pitch was ready for the 2007 season. The new pavilion was ready during the 2008 season and officially opened by Sir Garry Sobers, a wonderful event.
The Club continues with a First XI, Second XI, T20, and Ladies T20 sides, although for now the Junior Training and Teams have ended. It is however continuing to uphold its motto 'joined by heart' in everything it does on and off the pitch.
