Cricket match held in memory of ‘legendary’ Newbury schoolteacher John King, who died last year

A cricket match honouring a former Newbury teacher who died last year was played at Falkland Cricket Club on Sunday (April 27).

The match was played between East Woodhay and The John King Memorial XI in tribute to John King, who joined the club in the 1980s and served as its chairman for many years.

Mr King, a former teacher at St Bart’s School in Newbury, described as “a true legend”, died aged 84 in February 2024.

READ MORE: Tributes paid to John King, teacher of St Bart’s in Newbury, who died this month

He became a sixth form history master at the then St Bartholomew’s Grammar School in 1964 and retired in 2012 – not having missed a single day in his 48 years at the school.

St Bart’s alumni Andrew Cadwell, who helped organise the match, said: “Myself and a few of John’s former pupils and colleagues felt we should plan our own tribute and memorial to him.

“The match was a huge success attended by many people from all over the country, some of whom hadn’t seen each other since being taught by John in the 1960s.”

East Woodhay batted first, scoring 196 in their 30 overs. In reply, the John King Memorial XI managed 182, a hard-fought win for Woodhay Mr King would have enjoyed.

Mr Cadwell added: “John was loved by his pupils and was rightly regarded as the ‘Mr Chips’ of the school.

“Many donations have been accompanied by moving tributes to John from his former friends colleagues and students.

“We raised enough money to pay for a bench which has now been installed in the Heritage Garden at St Bart’s, an inscription beneath John’s picture in the school reception area and a plaque installed at Enborne church.”

Alumni also presented East Woodhay CC with a trophy and a further bench at yesterday's match.