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Archery Road, LEAMINGTON SPA, CV31 3PT

A residential road but with one side devoted to car parking. Behind the cars is Victoria Park.

Public House on Archery Road.

A traditional 19th century town pub opposite the Royal Leamington Spa Bowling Club in Victoria Park. Opens at noon and does home cooked food. It was originally known as the Cricketers Arms. There is an interesting plaque on one wall regarding John Wisden. See photograph by Robin Stott:- Image Image

John Wisden, the cricketer and publisher of a well-known almanack, together with George Parr created a cricket ground near here in 1849. This gave rise to the pub's name (originally the Cricketers Arms). The ground's lease was surrendered in 1863. The sign shows the famous cricketer W.G. Grace, who probably played here. The air balloon has his name on it and his birth & death dates 1848-1915. Image .

Looking along Victoria Street towards the Cricketers public house at the end.

English county flags fly along Archery Road. Four of the five greens in Victoria Park are in the picture. The morning's play is almost over; many contestants and spectators sit in the sun and chat over a picnic lunch. One match is being concluded on 'E' Green behind the camera. The event comes to Leamington every summer.

A residential road and cul-de-sac, off Archery Road. Further along Victoria Street there is another road leading off, which is also a cul-de-sac. This is named, confusingly, Victoria Road. One can imagine an awful lot of post gets mixed up!

The plaque reads: John Wisden (1826-1884) Cricketer and Almanack Publisher A cricket ground was created near this spot in 1849 by John Wisden and his friend and fellow-player, George Parr. Many important matches were played here to large crowds. Wisden lived in the town from 1848 to 1852. In 1850 he founded John Wisden & Co. probably selling sporting equipment. They gave up the lease of the ground in 1863. His obituary in his Almanack in the 1885 edition reads: "…A quiet, unassuming and thoroughly upright man. A fast friend and generous employer. Beloved by his intimates and employees and respected by all in whom he came in contact." The white band above the plaque is the Velcro™ strip to which a covering curtain is attached prior to the unveiling. The cricket ground, now Victoria Park and residential streets, was second only to Lords. Despite Wisden's far longer associations with Brighton and London, Leamington's plaque is believed to be the first erected to his memory. A view of the occasion is seen in Image Another view of the pub is Image A continuing programme of blue plaques is organised by Leamington's Blue Plaques Group.

Despite Wisden's far longer associations with Brighton and London, Leamington's plaque is believed to be the first erected to his memory: John Wisden (1826-1884), cricketer and Almanack publisher. A closer view of the plaque and the text is Image Here Stephen Baldwin, biographer, relates aspects of Wisden's life and his time in Leamington. Listening, right, is Mike Smith, retired Warwickshire cricketer and England cricket captain, who had just unveiled the plaque. A continuing programme of blue plaques is organised by Leamington's Blue Plaques Group.