DOWN MEMORY LANE - 50 YEARS AGO:

It was in 1976 that the Club ventured on its first tour to Barbados, although it wasn't its first overseas tour having visited Northern Ireland in 1966 and 1967.

Being the first UK amateur club comprising recreational players to undertake such an ambitious trip to the Caribbean, it gained nationwide interest, including messages from the late Prince Philip as well as Clive Lloyd and the late Tony Greig the, then, captains of West Indies and England congratulating the Club on its pioneering venture.  And a highlight of the trip was an invitation to a Reception by the British High Commissioner attended by many cricketing Test legends and local dignitaries. 

An eight-match programme was arranged, including the honour of a game at the famous Test ground, the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown.  It was a busy schedule against (too) strong opposition that included Test players Wayne Daniel, Joel Garner, Roland Butcher and Wes Hall. Perhaps not surprisingly, the results didn't quite fall in the Club's favour, returning home with a couple of close finishes but, disappointingly, without a victory!  Nevertheless, a thoroughly enjoyable time and memorable experience was had by all members of the 32-strong party.

The groundbreaking tour paved the way for many other clubs to follow suit and Barbados is now a popular destination for cricket tours.  Indeed, Belhus returned to the island in 1991 and 2018 and the allure of the Caribbean will undoubtedly see the Club revisit the magical island of Barbados in future years.

A handful of snapshots of tours can be viewed on the Club's website > PHOTO GALLERIES > BARBADOS TOUR 1976 as well as > PHOTO GALLERIES > BARBADOS 2018 and PHOTO GALLERIES > BARBADOS 1991.