WESLEYAN HERITAGE - 1919 – FORMATION OF CLUB

Northowram Hedge Top C.C. were originally known as Northowram Wesleyans C.C. – and, as the name implies, were linked to the local Methodist church.

Northowram Wesleyans C.C. was founded in the summer of 1919, only months after the end of the Great War. The Club played their fair share of friendly matches, but (from 1920) also competed in the Halifax & District Nonconformist League which existed from 1908 to 1939.

One year they reached the final of the Nonconformist League’s Mackintosh Cup – and actually beat Pellon Baptists in the final.

They played their home games in a farmer’s field north of Heywood Chapel and close to Upper Lane. They eventually moved to what would become their permanent home (Hedge Top Lane) around 1926.

RENAISSANCE TIME! 1926 – RE-FORMATION OF CLUB

As far as can be ascertained from newspaper reports, there followed a period of apparent inactivity. The Club was then re-formed in 1926 – the year of the General Strike.

Having relocated to its current site at Hedge Top Lane, immediately adjacent to the premises occupied by the Northowram Parish Church Club, it was accepted into the Halifax & District Amateur League.

Indeed, it is interesting to note that in 1926 clubs representing Heywood Church and Northowram Parish Church both competed in the 1st Division of the Halifax & District Amateur League, while the Wesleyans were in the 3rd Division.

METHODIST MERGER - 1937 – NORTHOWRAM METHODISTS

The Club's first name-change occurred in the mid-1930s when the Wesleyan and Ebenezer churches merged, and ‘Methodists’ became the generally adopted title. Thus, in 1937 we encounter the Club playing as Northowram Methodists in the Halifax & District Amateur League, 2nd Division. We should also note that Northowram Parish Church C.C. were playing in the same the same league.

LOCAL COMBAT - 1945 – AMATEUR & RED TRIANGLE LEAGUES

In 1945 – as the Second World War drew to a close - Northowram Methodists were competing in the Halifax & District Amateur Leag and also the Red Triangle League, a local evening cricket competition.

STAR PAIR! 1945 – REPRESENTATIVE HONOURS

The Club also supplied two players for a special representative match that was staged in 1945 – Messrs Birch and Dalton.

NORTHOWRAM HEDGE TOP CC

The Later Years

SO NEAR BUT YET SO FAR - 1946 – CUP RUNNERS-UP

Northowram Methodists were off the mark pretty quickly after the War. In 1946 they fell at the final hurdle in the Collinson Cup when they were runners-up to Churchill Redmans

PARISH PERFORMERS -1947 – HALIFAX LEAGUE

Northowram were successful in their post-war application to join the Halifax Parish League – and 1947 was their first summer in the new competition, finishing a creditable 5th in the League, out of 11

HELLO HEDGE TOP! 1952 – A CHANGE OF NAME

The Club’s second name-change took place in 1952. In an attempt to raise funds, Club members decided to organise a Christmas Raffle. Unfortunately for the Club, the Methodist Church took a dim view of gambling (and also alcohol) on church premises. Connections with the Church were, therefore, severed and the Club adopted its current name.

GONE SHOPPING! 1952 – GROUND PURCHASE

In the same year as the Club gained a new moniker, its ground, which had hitherto been rented, was purchased from the Coley Hall Estate.

SILVERWARE JOY - 1965 – PARISH CUP SUCCESS

Hedge Top reached the final of the Parish Cup in 1965, and caused an upset when they defeated red-hot ‘certs’ Triangle at King Cross.

TOP OF THE TREE! 1966 – HALIFAX LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

LOO-MING SUCCESS! 1968 – NEW CONSTRUCTION

In 1968, as the Club was able to erect a new, covered ‘flush’ toilet as it continued in its efforts to improve facilities at Hedge Top Lane.

BRICKS AND MORTAR - 1980 – NEW PAVILION

The construction of a new brick pavilion followed in 1980. This was later extended to include showering, toilet and bar facilities.

GROUND FORCE - 1992/3 – NEW TRACKS

Five wickets were re-laid in 1992/3 as the Club’s groundsmen set to work on improving the square – and five new grass practice wickets were also laid.

NUMBERS GAME - 1998 – CONSTRUCTION OF SCOREBOX

A new purpose-built scoring unit was erected in 1998 – to keep scorers and statisticians up and down the Halifax League happy!

SEEING IS BELIEVING - 1999 – NEW SIGHTSCREENS

A set of fixed, sliding sightscreens arrived in 1999, to make Hedge Top Lane one of the best ‘seeing’ grounds in the Halifax area.

BRING ON THE BULLS! 2002 – EXTENSION TO PREMISES

A further extension to the Hedge Top Lane pavilion and social facilities came in July 2002 – to make the venue one of the best-appointed in the Halifax League. The grand opening was supported by the Bradford Bulls rugby league team.

The ground, and its upkeep, remains an important concern for Club members and every Monday at 11am a group of volunteers meet up to see to the playing area.

HAPPY AND HEALTHY - CLUB TODAY

The Club has come a long way since its early days asNorthowram Wesleyans C.C., its break with Methodism, and its search for a permanent home.

(with many thanks to Peter Davies and the Cricket History of Calderdale and Kirklees )

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