Howzat?

Taunton Vale Rotarians delved into cricketing history recently with a visit to the Somerset County Cricket Museum.

The museum is housed in the old Priory Barn, probably the oldest surviving building in Taunton.

Museum displays concentrate on the history of Somerset County cricket but include numerous wider aspects of the game.

There are displays illustrating the development of cricket equipment over the years; early bats looked more like short hockey sticks with a curved end. There are also displays covering England women’s cricket and I Zingari, a cricket club founded in 1843 and one of the oldest wandering clubs in the world.

Old player contracts, score cards from famous victories, unusual souvenirs and vintage ground maintenance equipment are also on display.

As one member commented: “However many times I visit this museum, I always find something new and interesting”.