Mary Berry’s Cricket Tea at Goodwood

Cricket is the oldest sport on the Goodwood Estate, so it is only apt the final scene of the BBC1 programme Mary Berry’s Country House Secrets should showcase a very English cricket tea. And what a tea it was. The Duke and his mother the Duchess joined Mary and Estate staff under the majestic Cedar of Lebanon tree by the cricket pavilion to watch the Estate team play the Chichester All Stars and enjoy a sumptuous feast.

Grown from seed in 1752 and planted in 1756, the cedar tree has looked on countless famous players including James Lilywhite, Sir Colin Cowdrey, Graham Gooch and Nasser Hussain. Sadly, on this occasion, the stunning evening weather was not matched in performance by the Estate team as they lost a tight game against the Chichester All Stars.

Spirits were not dampened though, as players and onlookers tucked into a mouth-watering array of sandwiches, Goodwood sausage rolls and of course a show-stopper of a cake made by the baking queen herself: three-tiers of golden bantam sponge with lemon curd, whipped cream and strawberries. You can see the recipe here.

Goodwood House was one of the first places where cricket was played regularly, arguably making Sussex the birthplace of club cricket. Certainly, matches have been played in front of the house for more than 300 years – a receipt for brandy, given to the players, shows Goodwood was involved in the game as early as 1702. 

In 1727 in Goodwood Park, a game was played between the 2nd Duke of Richmond and a Mr Brodrick. As was common in those days, there was a wageron the match and rules were drafted. That document - the oldest written set of cricket rules in the world - remains in Goodwood House today. Duplicates can also be found in the Club pavilion and at Lord’s in London.

Cricket continues to be played regularly at Goodwood. The 2017 season has seen some 62 adult and 26 junior matches, as well as 42 training sessions for all ages. About 740 adults and 480 junior cricketers will have played at Goodwood this year, with many a Friday night buzzing with 60 U10s. Cricket is played by all abilities from those representing Chichester 1st XI in the Sussex League, through the Goodwood Sunday XI and Estate 20/20 team to those just starting out - young and old. 

Richard Geffen, chairman of the Goodwood Cricket Club, says: “It has been a marvellous season. We have had a nine-year old scoring a century for Chichester’s Under 12 XI/, Chichester 1st XI becoming champions of their Sussex League and gaining promotion, a Goodwood cricketer scoring his 10,000th run for the club in his 448^th match and, of course, Mary Berry bringing the most delectable of cakes to a Goodwood cricket tea.” 

The rise and rise of cricket on the Estate is a tremendous legacy and tribute to the late 10th Duke of Richmond, who for the current generation of Goodwood cricketers was 'The Cricketing Duke', an enthusiastic supporter and cricketer who played for the club.

Geffen adds: “James Lillywhite, an employee of the Duke of Richmond, was England’s first ever test captain leading England in Australia in 1876-77. As the Ashes continue down under, wouldn’t it be wonderful to think that the present resurgence of cricket at Goodwood might lead once again to a home-grown Goodwood player leading England.” Now that would be a fine addition to the history books. 

The Goodwood episode of Mary Berry's Country House Secrets is due to be aired on Sunday, February 2^nd on BBC Two, at 11.30am and will be availble to catch up on BBC iPlayer.