Alastair Cook joins Topsham St James for 150th anniversary celebration

Topsham St James Cricket Club has celebrated its incredible 150th anniversary with a night to remember - a prestigious dinner at Winslade Manor featuring a special appearance by cricketing great Sir Alastair Cook.

Founded in 1875 as St. James CC in Exeter, the club has become a pillar of the Topsham community, with generations of players and supporters donning the whites.

The anniversary dinner, held at the end of March, marked the first of several special events taking place throughout 2025.

The evening included a lively Q&A session with Sir Alastair, one of England’s most decorated batsmen, who shared stories from his illustrious career and gave guests a behind-the-scenes look at life at the crease. An auction followed, with cricket-themed and local prizes raising money for both the Lord’s Taverners and the club’s youth coaching programmes.

Matthew Williams, Chair of Topsham St James Cricket Club, said, “This dinner was a wonderful opportunity to bring our community together – we were joined by people who played for the club over many decades, together with those passionate about cricket and supporting our local community. It was an unforgettable occasion in which we honoured our history and also looked to the future to ensure we continue to support future generations of our club.”

The festivities continue this summer with a family fun day on Sunday 22 June, culminating in a 150th Anniversary Match between a Topsham XI and a Lord’s Taverners XI captained by former Somerset and England fast bowler Andy Caddick.

Everyone is welcome to join the celebrations, with the club inviting locals to get involved throughout the season.