Our Club

The club is located in rural South Gloucestershire on the bank of the River Severn. Just north of Bristol, it is almost in the shadows of the famous Severn Bridge, with views across the river to the Forest of Dean. Oldbury is near to Thornbury with the famous Thornbury Castle which is a superb hotel with exceptional food, accommodation and grounds. Henry VIII once stayed there with Anne Boelyn. A little further afield is Berkeley Castle with a somewhat gruesome history, and also the famous bird sanctuary at Slimbridge. To the south is Bristol, full of history with the SS Great Britain and Brunel's famous Clifton suspension bridge. To the north is Gloucester and Cheltenham. To the west, Chepstow, again with Castle, the beautiful Wye valley and Wales. This is a truly superb location.

The village of Oldbury itself has a significant history, with an iron age fort and a roman camp. In the past it was a small village port. The local St. Arilda's church derives its name from a local saint, Arilda. She was much liked until her life was tragically cut short by a heathen to whom she was unwilling to submit her body. In the past, the village has experienced many problems with flooding from the River Severn - sea defences now prevent this.

For cricket lovers, this is very much the stomping ground of the famous W.G.Grace who graced many of the local grounds, including Thornbury Cricket Club ground at Alveston.

Cricket has been played in Oldbury since approx. 1870. Despite its traditions, the village is small and at times it has been tough to keep the tradition alive. It has gone back to its roots and the club is now firmly based within the social life of the village. In fact the cricket club organises many of the social events in the village.

Matches played are friendlies only, and players are restricted to those living in the parish. We have approximately 40 members from many different walks of life plus a youth side. The standard is relaxed, playing local villages and the occasional side from farther afield. Socialising with the opposition in one of the local pubs after the game is as much a tradition as the game itself.

We run a Sunday side, a mid-week side, a ladies team and a youth team (Under 13s in the Stroud league).