| Wollaston Cricket Club The home of Club Cricket |
|
|
|
|
2007 REVIEWED
Cucumber Sandwiches - With or Without Crusts? …..that used to be the most important question when providing a traditional cricket tea. A few sandwiches and a couple of slices of homemade Victoria sponge cake washed down with a fresh cup of tea, served in a china cup and saucer, was all that was needed to refresh the players’ between innings. Preparation for the Saturday game has changed over the years; gone are the days when the sheep were bought in during the week to graze the pitch ready for the weekend game and gradually the cucumber sandwich has largely been replaced by sausage rolls, scotch eggs and pizza. The Victoria sponge and cream scones served with raspberry jam made from berries freshly gathered and converted to jam within 2 hours of picking are now rarely seen having been usurped by Mr Kipling’s exceedingly good cakes and the tray of fresh fruit cut to convenient mouth sized pieces. Afternoon tea originated in the UK but changes in social customs mean that most Britons only take afternoon tea on special occasions. To enjoy a relaxing traditional afternoon tea for one, steeped in history, consisting of a variety of thinly cut sandwiches and a plate of scones with cream at the Ritz in London will cost £35. Good value then when a whole cricket tea can be provide for the same amount at Wollaston CC! Cricket teas are a strange phenomenon; how many of you reading this article sit down to afternoon tea between 4 and 5pm? We may stop for a mug of tea or coffee and a biscuit but a plate of sandwiches and cake? On a hot summer’s day plenty of drinks breaks are important to keep the players hydrated and after the first innings is over or a declaration is announced then the freshly brewed pot of tea with a slice of cake is all that is really needed to mark the end of one innings and the beginning of the next. The large amount of food that is now prepared is often enough to feed the 22 players, 2 umpires, 2 scorers and the whole of the cricket supporters when just a cup of tea would suffice. I’m not suggesting any charges are made as the viewing public (and I’m often one of them) are very important, but the financial cost of the food provided must be much higher than the allotted allowance. The answer to the posed question is no longer relevant, mainly because cucumber sandwiches are not part of the afternoon spread—but should the actual tradition of a cricket tea continue? Or is it more about sharing and enjoying the hospitality that is offered on a Saturday afternoon down the field? T he tradition continues for the time being at Wollaston where an afternoon tea can still be enjoyed in the elegant and grand surroundings of the village cricket club.Ratty from ‘Wind in the Willow’ described his perfect picnic as:- Coldtonguecoldhamcoldbeefpickledgherkinssaladfrenchrollscresssandwichespottedmeatgingerbeerlemonadesodawater…. When asked for the one important item which made a cricket tea Wollaston players described their perfect tea as:- Cucumbersandwichesonwhiteeggsandwichescheeseandtomatosandwichesegg sarniescheeseandpicklesandwichesquichebattenbergchocolatecakejamtartsmaltloaf…. And the most important words? ‘are the kettles on?’ Caroline Jones
|
|
