The Somerset Cricket Museum has very recently been presented with a rare cricket book that was destined for the rubbish bin, and this will shortly be on view to the general public.

The book entitled `Cricket' by W.G.Grace, is number 245 of only 652 copies of the special edition that were produced. It was first published by Arrowsmiths in Bristol in 1891,with each one being signed in ink by the legendary hero of the summer game, and according to cricket booksellers has a market value in the region of £3-400.

For many years this copy sat on the shelves of the staff library of Crewkerne Grammar School, which closed its doors for the last time in 1971, to make way for the new comprehensive school in the town.

After the school was closed the building was cleared by the new owner Roger Fowler, and the contents of the staff room shelves emptied and placed into tea chests. The building was eventually sold for development into flats on the site.

Before he disposed of the contents of the chests however Mr Fowler contacted the Old Boys Association, one of whom went through all of the tea chests to check their contents. As he was doing so he noticed the W.G Grace book and duly rescued it for safe keeping.

Old Boy Tim Udall, who is still a resident in the South Somerset town said: "When the School Association held their 500th Anniversary the book came to light and we realised that it was of some historical value. As we don't have a proper facility to display the book we decided to give the book to the Somerset Cricket Museum on a permanent loan, where everybody will have a chance to look at it."

According to a handwritten note from one of the headmasters of Crewkerne Grammar School that is loosely inserted inside the book it was originally owned by A.W.Blake, and presented to the school by the Blake Family several of whom over the years were governors or clerks to the governors of the school.

Tim Udall recently visited the Somerset Cricket Museum where he presented the book to the curator Tony Stedall, who told me: "We are very pleased to have the book on permanent loan in the museum, where it will form part of our new display for next season."

Somerset Cricket Museum is one of the best of it's kind in the country, and with it's ever changing exhibits is well worth a visit. It is open an all match days, and Monday to Friday during the summer months.

© SOMERSET