George Parr, RoT's international cricketer

24th August 2023 George Parr, International Cricketer from Radcliffe - Marion Caunt

1826 to 1891 George was one of 9 children, 5 boys and 4 girls with his father and brothers playing cricket for the village team at the ground on Wharf Lane. His father was a tenant farmer living in the Manor house adjacent to the Manvers Arms, but earning enough to send the boys to private school. George ousted his elder brother from the village team at 14 years old and featured in many of the matches between Bingham and Radcliffe. He progressed to play for Notts with his brother Samuel, initially at The Forest ground, moving to Trent Bridge in 1838, where after some years an elm tree which he kept hitting the ball at or over, was named after him.

William Clarke was the first captain of the All-England team as well as the Notts Eleven and George and brother Samuel both played for All England with George scoring 29 in his opening match.  He was highly regarded for his batting prowess and became known as “The Lion of the North”, scoring 4 centuries in his career. He became a close friend of John Wisden in the United England team and generally wore a top hat and all white clothing, signifying it as a ‘gentleman’s game’. When William Clarke died, he took on the Secretary and Captain of the All-England XI, mainly playing against County sides; on the occasion of his highest score of 130 a collection of £30 (in a coconut shell) was made for him (equivalent to £3k today)

In 1869 George and Richard Draft played at the Holme Lane ground in Radcliffe for the All England XI against the 22 of Radcliffe, although the match had to be abandoned for the All-England members to travel to Dublin for their next match. Travel in the UK was quite difficult in those times, but in 1859 the England team set of to tour Canada and America (15-day sea crossing), winning all their matches.  This was later followed by a tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1863 (a 61-day sea journey).  He suffered some injuries from the game and played his last game in 1871, scoring 38 not out and a bachelor for most of his life, but marrying his housekeeper, Jane Smalley in 1890, dying from influenza one year later.

Alan F gave the vote of thanks saying that Marion had shone a light on someone who had passed him by and suggested from his experience of team sport the 3 important issues were food, drink and travel. He commented that as usual with Marion the subject was meticulously researched and delivered with enthusiasm and some humour, so the members joined him in thanking Marion in the normal manner.                                     AR