Cricket Newfoundland and Labrador were invited to hold a cricket demonstration as part of the Canada Day celebrations in Trinity Bight, Newfoundland. Trinity, located about 250 km from St. John’s has a long history, and has developed as a centre for tourism in eastern Newfoundland. The Provincial Historic Sites Division invited Cricket NL, as they recognized that cricket was an important part of life in Trinity up to 100 years ago. The community museum has a photograph of the Trinity team in 1896, plus a couple of old cricket bats. The Trinity team played against other communities in the area, but also made the trip (by boat) into St. John’s.
It is likely that they played close to the centre of Trinity itself, perhaps on the park that resembles a village green in the centre of town. The cricket demonstration however was held in Trinity East, in the brand new Memorial Park behind the local school. July 1st is Canada Day of course but in Newfoundland is also known as commendation day, when the province remembers Beaumont Hamel – on July 1 1916 over 700 Newfoundlanders went over the top at the opening of the battle of the Somme, and only 68 were left alive and unfounded the next day. Hence it was significant that the Canada Day celebrations were held in a park built as a memorial to those who served. Close to 20 young men from the Trinity area died that day, and although cricket was in decline by that time, it is probable that at least some of them played at Trinity. The event followed on from the Canada Day celebrations and well attended by the local community, especially the children.
Two members of the Cricket NL Executive, Rakesh Negi and Dave Liverman were on hand and worked with a highly enthusiastic group of kids aged 4 to 12. It proved to be more challenging to get adults involved, despite the presence of Bryce, one of the cricket playing extras from the Grand Seduction. Two interpreters from historic sites were persuaded to give the game a try, and showed some bowling talent!
The event was a success, and it was agreed that another visit would be a good idea, perhaps this time held in the centre of historic Trinity. It would be great to build on this event with the kids as well, with the hope that a schools program might be developed.