Sports - CricketJust when Watton's first cricket club was formed is uncertain, but the first mention of cricket I could find was for 1845 when the town was reputed to have one of the finest cricket grounds in the country and this was situated behind the Bull Hotel, so it would appear that Watton possessed a cricket team some time before that date and one would assume that with a first class ground to play on, they would also have had a first class team. The first photographic record of a Watton cricket team is about 1890 and includes three players I well remember. Although Watton undoubtedly had some fine cricketers over the years they don't appear to have reached such a high team standard as the football teams and the only two records of a Watton cricketer being selected for Norfolk that I can trace were Edward Peachment in the 1920's and Andy Agar in 1982. In addition to the town club, the Liberal Club also ran a cricket team before the First World War
Sports - SWIMMINGFrom the time Loch Neaton pleasure grounds were created in 1892, Watton has had a good swimming club. Each summer from its inception until the late 30's, Loch Neaton was the only local place one could go for swimming. Here water regattas and swimming competitions attracted large crowds with the "Buscall Shield" being the most coveted trophy for swimmers. Large crowds were provided with much fun from such events as "walking the greasy pole", pillow fighting with the competitors sitting astride the pole over the water, which often ended with both falling into the water together. Sports - TENNISBetween the wars tennis enthusiasts were well catered for in the town and in addition to five or six private courts the Methodist Tennis Club had two grass courts next to the grounds of Harvey House and there were four public courts at Loch Neaton. Mrs. Robinson, wife of Charles the solicitor, won county honours for Norfolk and Tom Bedford and Lily Abbey, later becoming husband and wife, won practically all the local tournaments. Their daughter Pat holds the honour of being the only Wat- ton player to partake in the Wimbledon tournaments, reaching the second round of the Junior Wimbledon in 1951.
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