Chichester Priory Park Cricket Club, 175th anniversary
Tabled 15 July 2026 by Jess Brown-Fuller
That this House congratulates Chichester Priory Park Cricket Club on celebrating its 175th anniversary, tracing its origins back to the first recorded match played in Priory Park on 7 August 1851; recognises the club's historic role in English cricket, including former member Arthur Hobgen's role in financing James Lillywhite's pioneering 1876-77 tour to Australia, which produced the first ever Test match; commends President Graeme Bennison and Chairman Gary Rustell for their continued leadership of the club; further commends the club's active and growing women and girls division, which offers both softball and hardball options in a friendly, inclusive environment for players of all ages and abilities; welcomes Chichester District Council's commitment of nearly £1 million towards the redevelopment of the club's White Pavilion; notes that this investment will help to deliver improved changing facilities, accessible provision, and a new social space; further notes the important role that clubs such as this play in encouraging grassroots participation in cricket and supporting community health and wellbeing; and calls on the Government to increase support for local cricket clubs, to ensure they have the facilities and resources needed to continue growing participation at a grassroots level for generations to come.