Signs have gone up at each entrance of the Cambridge Farmers’ Market warning patrons to beware of cricket balls when matches are being played.
But The News wonders how much use the signs will be when the final T20 match of the season between Cambridge Premier and St Paul’s Collegiate in round seven of the Waikato Valley premier competition starts at 10am on Saturday.
Over it goes, a six by Liam Hayman sails into the Farmers’ Market. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
A six by Morrinsville Piako’s Liam Hayman during his team’s victory over Cambridge A in round three at 11.21am on February 24 soared over the top of the market and landed somewhere in the middle.
There were no shrieks of pain but sources close to the Cambridge cricket club – which leases Victoria Square from Waipā District Council – say players were concerned.
There has been “tension” between the cricket club and the market since it first started 15 years ago.
Liam Hayman batting for Morrinsville Piako at a recent T20 match on Victoria Square hit a massive six into the Farmers’ Market. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Netting stops the rolling ball at the boundary.
The market occupies a designated area of the square every Saturday morning until midday and recently secured a licence to occupy from the council for a five-year term with two rights of renewal of five years each.
The initial annual licence fee is $13,260 payable to the council.
Previously the Hamilton and Cambridge Farmers Markets Trust paid two annual fees – $612 for a licence and $357 for administration, until The News enquiries revealed it was no longer operating as a charitable trust, which had entitled it to reduced rates.
Damage done to the ground during the market’s tenure – in recent years ratepayers have forked out thousands of dollars to repair the southeastern corner occupied by the market – makes fielding in that corner precarious once the market has packed up.
The south eastern entrance to the Cambridge Farmers Market.
As part of the new licence the market must ensure the area is kept clear of any litter and waste and ensure dogs are kept off the surface.
A portion of the new licence fee covers general maintenance of the site.
Cricket has been played on Victoria Square since 1876 when a team of soldiers from South Auckland travelled by steamboat up the Waikato River to play about the Waikato Battalion.
The Cambridge Cricket Club was formed in November 1907 with mayor William Buckland – a former first class Auckland cricket all-rounder – elected president.
The first match on six foot matting was played the following month between Married Men 22 and Single 103, according to Cambridge Museum records.
In 1953, the cricket club contributed £300 plus labour towards a brick building in the northern corner of Victoria Square. An upstairs lounge was added in 1980 and a $300,000 extension finished in 2021.
The south western entrance to the Farmers Market with the cricket pitch in the background.
Liam Hayman batting for Morrinsville Piako at a recent T20 match against Cambridge on Victoria Square hit a massive six off bowler Adil Somani (9) into the Farmers’ Market. Watching on is wicketkeeper Scott Warren and batsman Jacob Gordon (33). Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
