THE 105 year old photograph on the right has been kindly forwarded to us by Norman Willetts of Cradley Heath, and is part of a collection of family images that belong to his cousin Violet Gamblin (nee Bloomer), who nowadays resides in Ryde, on the Isle of Wight, although she was born in Cradley Heath.
This photograph shows members of Colley Gate Cricket Club, from nearby Cradley, in Edwardian times (1907 to be more precise).
What a fine group of Black Country sportsmen they appear to have been, in their smart cricket whites, caps, and even ties — for some of these early willow-wielders.
Perhaps some of our readers form the Cradley area will be able to name an ancesotor amongst them? The only name we have is that of Violet’s grandfather Ernest Bloomer, who is seen on the back row, second from the right.
