CELEBRATE THE 100th ANNIVERSARY OF KENTISH BAT AND TRAP WITH SHEPHERD NEAME

Faversham brewer Shepherd Neame is inviting everyone to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Kentish sport bat and trap where it first began.

Next Thursday, September 22, marks exactly 100 years since the unique game was officially founded at Shepherd Neame pub Ye Olde Beverlie in St Stephen’s Green, Canterbury.

The origins of the bat-and-ball game, seen as a precursor to cricket, can be traced back to the 13th century, but it was on September 22, 1922, in Ye Olde Beverlie’s large pub garden, that the first bat and trap Canterbury and District League was founded. 

The Faversham-based brewer and pub company kicked off the centenary celebrations in August by issuing new limited edition anniversary bat and trap kits to eight of its Kent pubs: The Artichoke, Chartham; Bucks Head, Sevenoaks; The Evenhill, Littlebourne; Golden Lion, Sturry; Horse and Groom, Ramsgate; Tudor Rose, Upnor; White Lion, Selling; along with the original setting for the game, Ye Olde Beverlie.

As a long-time sponsor of Kent Cricket, with the Club’s Canterbury headquarters The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, named after its most famous beer brand, Shepherd Neame also enlisted help from two Kent players George Linde and Matt Quinn to promote the game, filming a ‘how to’ bat and trap guide which you can watch here.

It also held a Bat and Trap Family Fun Day at Ye Olde Beverlie during the August Bank Holiday weekend to introduce the game to a new audience which proved a huge success, attended by more than 100 people.  

Shepherd Neame is therefore continuing the celebrations by holding a Bat and Trap Family Fun Afternoon at Ye Olde Beverlie to mark the official centenary.

The free drop-in event is taking place on Thursday (September 22) from 4pm to 7pm, and the first 30 people to arrive on the day will receive a free drink. 

Canterbury and District Bat and Trap League Press Officer Jakey Janes said: “The first Bat and Trap event was hugely successful, with families from the local community coming along and having a go. We are thrilled to have received four new enquiries for teams, which may result in a new division being created. 

“We are grateful that Shepherd Neame is championing this unique Kentish sport, encouraging more people to get involved.”

Shepherd Neame’s Director of Marketing and Communications Joanna Richardson said: “Bat and trap is played in pub gardens across our Kentish heartland, and this centenary is the perfect opportunity to raise awareness of this fantastic game. We hope that individuals, families and friends of all ages will join us and have fun together trying this unique Kentish sport.”

If you are interested in attending the Bat and Trap Fun Afternoon on Thursday, September 22, please email [email protected]

For more information about the origins of bat and trap and how to play this unique game, visit www.shepherdneame.co.uk/batandtrap