A correction to the “For those needing directions” paragraph (quite important for for anyone trying to follow the directions) is that we’re talking southwest of Berwick-upon-Tweed, not Berwick-upon-Trent. Berwick, Etal, etc are all 150+ miles north of the River Trent.
I’ll be doing my very best to arrange to sample the ales of the Black Bull next summer; although recent tripadvisor reviews don’t look encouraging, there’s only one way to find out for sure…
Just thought that it might, with a bit of patience, be possible to arrange a photo like above but with “please drive carefully” serving as an apt caption to a batter walking back to the pavilion having given a catch behind the wicket.
I had in the back of my mind that ETAL reminded me of something that I couldn't place. Checking the map and it's all laid out there. Etal castle was a bit player in the leadup to the disastrous battle of Flodden in 1513.
Etal was one of the English castles guarding the East March of the Borders region. In late August 1513 Scotland's army led by King James IV crossed the border, the River Tweed, in support of their ally France. England's Henry the VIII, the famous one, was conducting military operations at that time on French soil. The Scots captured or destroyed the English castles of the area before losing the battle, and James his life, when English forces commanded by Thomas Howard arrived to take up the challenge. The battlefield site is about three miles as the crow flies from Etal Castle.
And there is a cricket connection as well. Thomas Howard was one of the early Dukes of Norfolk.
His grandfather, the first Duke, curiously enough was a John Howard. In more recent times the 16th Duke managed the 1962-63 MCC team out here. Their Arundel ground, as we might recall, has hosted our Ashes touring teams more than once or twice for matches against the Dukes' XI.
Thanks PL. Feeling for McSweeney. He did no worse than others in the team and considering it was his first couple of tests & he is not an opener - he did pretty good!! I hope Khawaja appreciates how fortunate he is to keep his spot. Cheers
A great read yet again Peter. All the best to you, Gideon & Sam for the festive season. Looking forward to seeing you all at Willie the Boatman in January as well as reading the correspondence from Melbourne.
How good are the Chats!
Something that the neighbors of Ewan Chatfield & Family say! :D
A correction to the “For those needing directions” paragraph (quite important for for anyone trying to follow the directions) is that we’re talking southwest of Berwick-upon-Tweed, not Berwick-upon-Trent. Berwick, Etal, etc are all 150+ miles north of the River Trent.
I’ll be doing my very best to arrange to sample the ales of the Black Bull next summer; although recent tripadvisor reviews don’t look encouraging, there’s only one way to find out for sure…
Just thought that it might, with a bit of patience, be possible to arrange a photo like above but with “please drive carefully” serving as an apt caption to a batter walking back to the pavilion having given a catch behind the wicket.
The Bull looks a bit sterile inside. I'll be outside.
That certainly looks the best bet. Though if the sun is out Tillside CC might be ok too…
Thank you for that Peter.
I had in the back of my mind that ETAL reminded me of something that I couldn't place. Checking the map and it's all laid out there. Etal castle was a bit player in the leadup to the disastrous battle of Flodden in 1513.
Etal was one of the English castles guarding the East March of the Borders region. In late August 1513 Scotland's army led by King James IV crossed the border, the River Tweed, in support of their ally France. England's Henry the VIII, the famous one, was conducting military operations at that time on French soil. The Scots captured or destroyed the English castles of the area before losing the battle, and James his life, when English forces commanded by Thomas Howard arrived to take up the challenge. The battlefield site is about three miles as the crow flies from Etal Castle.
And there is a cricket connection as well. Thomas Howard was one of the early Dukes of Norfolk.
His grandfather, the first Duke, curiously enough was a John Howard. In more recent times the 16th Duke managed the 1962-63 MCC team out here. Their Arundel ground, as we might recall, has hosted our Ashes touring teams more than once or twice for matches against the Dukes' XI.
Great work Leigh, love the chase down to a cricket connection.
I was in Macksville in 2015 not 2005 ...
Thanks PL. Feeling for McSweeney. He did no worse than others in the team and considering it was his first couple of tests & he is not an opener - he did pretty good!! I hope Khawaja appreciates how fortunate he is to keep his spot. Cheers
Phillip Hughes would have liked The Black Bull.
A great read yet again Peter. All the best to you, Gideon & Sam for the festive season. Looking forward to seeing you all at Willie the Boatman in January as well as reading the correspondence from Melbourne.
Merry Christmas
Etal is lovely. Nice Church too. Castle does need renovation, and the whole area - and its people - is wonderful.
Nice perspective after having the complete and total shits with George and co!