Free Cricket Nets for Fownhope – It’s Happening
Last night, at the Parish Council meeting on 1 July 2026, an agreement was signed by Fownhope Strollers Cricket Club, the Fownhope Recreation Field Association and the Parish Council that changes what’s on offer at the Recreation Field for every resident of the parish. From today, the cricket nets are available free of charge to anyone who lives in Fownhope.
The nets
In 2025, Fownhope Strollers Cricket Club fundraised around £45,000 to build a brand new set of cricket nets at the Recreation Field. The result is a facility that is among the very finest in Herefordshire, right here in the village.
Anyone who has seen them will know they are exceptional. But for most of us, until now, they have been for club members only. That changes today.
Free village access
The Strollers have been playing cricket at the Recreation Field since 2013. They have invested in the square, maintained the outfield during the cricket season, and now built this outstanding facility. The new agreement — which runs for 20 years — cements that relationship and, crucially, opens the nets up to the whole community.
The agreement took a while to get right. One of the key challenges was insurance — the Strollers’ policy covers club members, and extending that cover to village residents using the nets independently required a careful solution. The answer is the Village Membership scheme. It’s free, it takes two minutes to set up, and it means you are properly covered under the Club’s insurance every time you use the nets.
How to register
Registration is handled by the FRFA through the village website. You can sign up at https://fownhopeparishcouncil.gov.uk/free-use-of-the-cricket-nets/
You’ll need to provide your name, address, date of birth, email address and optionally a phone number. If your address is within the Fownhope parish boundary, your application is automatically accepted.
Village Membership is open to residents of all ages. If you are under 18, you’ll need to be accompanied by a Village Member who is 18 or over whenever you use the nets, and it will be that person who makes the booking. Before anyone uses the nets for the first time, a short induction is required — more on that below.
Village Evenings
Every week during the cricket season, the Strollers run a Village Evening alongside their regular training session. For the hour beforehand, the nets are open to anyone — no booking needed, no membership required, just turn up. A Club officer will be present throughout. You’re also welcome to stay on and join the members’ session itself, meet the team, and get a feel for what the club is about.
Village Evening dates and times are listed on the Village Calendar at https://fownhopeparishcouncil.gov.uk/village-calendar.
It’s also the perfect opportunity to complete your induction if you want to go on to book the nets independently.
Booking the nets
Once you’re registered and inducted, booking is simple — exactly the same process as booking any other facility at the Recreation Field, handled by our Bookings Secretary Jacqui. One-hour slots, free of charge. You can book at https://fownhopeparishcouncil.gov.uk/frfa-bookings/
A community facility for the whole village
The agreement signed last night is the result of months of work. The cricket nets are a fantastic addition to what the Recreation Field offers, and we’re delighted that from today they are available to every resident of the parish, free of charge. We hope you’ll use them.
The Fownhope Recreation Field Association