HISTORY
Although there being records of a cricket club in Bourton on the Water in 1857, it was not until the 1880's that the Vale as we know it today was born. At the turn of the century there was one team, 20 fixtures and around 50 members. This grew to over 70 ten years later and a Wednesday team was formed.
The original ground was situated further down Rissington Road in a field known as Red Meadow with the pavilion situated next to the River Windrush. Lunches, teas, ales and ciders were brought by pony and trap from the Old New Inn. In 1920 BVCC employed a groundsman to "mow the grass" and "play when required". Rule 10 stated that "the groundsman will be in attendance to bowl to members every weekday 2-3pm and from 4.30pm - sunset"! Annual salary was £30.
In 1923 the pavilion was moved to its current site thanks to the George Moore Trust and the center part of the clubhouse still stands today.
Recovery after World War One was due largely to Mr Eddie Tippett, captain and later president, and to Mr William Hill, groundsman. During World War Two the pavilion was taken over by the army and later by the home guard and once again the club was fortunate in having another captain and groundsman to help the club recover in Mr Alec Hill and Mr Albert Stayt. After the War, the county played a number of matches against the North Cotswolds on the ground with BVCC providing most of the players. The contribution in both players and support from the Royal Air Force at Little Rissington was considerable for nearly 40 years.
In more recent years the club played in the Oxfordshire and Thames Valley Cherwell league attracting professional overseas players including Zimbabwe bowler, and now commentator, Pommie Mbangwa. In 2012 the club made the switch to the Gloucestershire and Wiltshire league where the first XI have played in the Gloucester Division since their shift against the likes of Dumbleton, Hatherley and Reddings and Rockhampton.
The hugely successful junior section is now over a decade old and is still thriving with over 130 child members.
The original ground was situated further down Rissington Road in a field known as Red Meadow with the pavilion situated next to the River Windrush. Lunches, teas, ales and ciders were brought by pony and trap from the Old New Inn. In 1920 BVCC employed a groundsman to "mow the grass" and "play when required". Rule 10 stated that "the groundsman will be in attendance to bowl to members every weekday 2-3pm and from 4.30pm - sunset"! Annual salary was £30.
In 1923 the pavilion was moved to its current site thanks to the George Moore Trust and the center part of the clubhouse still stands today.
Recovery after World War One was due largely to Mr Eddie Tippett, captain and later president, and to Mr William Hill, groundsman. During World War Two the pavilion was taken over by the army and later by the home guard and once again the club was fortunate in having another captain and groundsman to help the club recover in Mr Alec Hill and Mr Albert Stayt. After the War, the county played a number of matches against the North Cotswolds on the ground with BVCC providing most of the players. The contribution in both players and support from the Royal Air Force at Little Rissington was considerable for nearly 40 years.
In more recent years the club played in the Oxfordshire and Thames Valley Cherwell league attracting professional overseas players including Zimbabwe bowler, and now commentator, Pommie Mbangwa. In 2012 the club made the switch to the Gloucestershire and Wiltshire league where the first XI have played in the Gloucester Division since their shift against the likes of Dumbleton, Hatherley and Reddings and Rockhampton.
The hugely successful junior section is now over a decade old and is still thriving with over 130 child members.
