Publications
Two hundred years of education in Glynde, 1765-1965, by Andrew Lusted, published 1984 in Ringmer History (No. 3, article, pp.18-25)
The Glynde Butterflies Stoolball Team 1866-1887 - England's first female sports stars, by Andrew Lusted, published 2011 (published by the author) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/502702] & East Sussex Libraries
Review by Pamela Combes in Syssex Past & Present no. 128, December 2012:It is most appropriate, in this Olympic year when the President of the IOC at the opening of London 2012 emphasised the role of the British in codifying so many games and sporting events, that Andrew Lusted has published this work on stoolball. Following on the success of several previous publications relating to Glynde, Andrew has turned his attention to the 19th century sporting ladies of his home village and others close by who were, it transpires from his research, world leaders in the field of women's team games.
Two Sussex firsts are recorded in this interesting report of the prowess of the delightfully named Glynde Butterflies, Chailey Grasshoppers, Waldron Bees, and Selmeston Harvest Bugs, and other local ladies sports teams.
The origins of stoolball are little understood and versions of the game may originally have been played in many parts of England. The modern game is confined almost exclusively to the south eastern counties, predominantly in Sussex but also extending west into Hampshire, north into Surrey and east into Kent, with one remarkable outlier in Sutton Coldfield in Birmingham. The game has long interested sport historians as articles in our own collections by John Lowerson (1995) and John Goulstone (1998) testify. One notable supporter was Sir William Grantham of Barcombe who actively promoted the game, albeit somewhat eccentrically, in the early 20th century. Sir William's significant collection of memorabilia and his scrap books are held in the working papers room in the library at Barbican House. As a trainee teacher at Bishop Otter College in the 1950s I recall being introduced to the (to me) unfamiliar game, because we were almost certain to come upon it when we were unleashed upon local schools for our school practices. More recently, but still some time ago, one of my daughters played for a junior team in Crowborough. Many of the present day clubs field mixed teams but in origin it was exclusively a women's game - introduced, perhaps, to provide a female equivalent to cricket.
In the course of his research into stoolball Andrew uncovered documentary evidence for a female cricket team playing regularly at Glynde, several years before the Yorkshire club team who claim to be the oldest established in the country. In addition he proves without doubt that the first rules of stoolball were established and published in the East Sussex News, probably at the instigation of the indefatigable Glynde Butterflies, in 1867. This is earlier than the rules of any other women's team sport.
Most striking too is the evidence for universal participation in the sport. Considering the class conscious times it is revealing that here in Sussex, on the sports field at least, village girls, the daughters of the manse and of the local squire, all participated in the local teams.
If you know anyone who has an interest in Stoolball this book is a must; a stocking filler for Christmas perhaps.
Two Sussex firsts are recorded in this interesting report of the prowess of the delightfully named Glynde Butterflies, Chailey Grasshoppers, Waldron Bees, and Selmeston Harvest Bugs, and other local ladies sports teams.
The origins of stoolball are little understood and versions of the game may originally have been played in many parts of England. The modern game is confined almost exclusively to the south eastern counties, predominantly in Sussex but also extending west into Hampshire, north into Surrey and east into Kent, with one remarkable outlier in Sutton Coldfield in Birmingham. The game has long interested sport historians as articles in our own collections by John Lowerson (1995) and John Goulstone (1998) testify. One notable supporter was Sir William Grantham of Barcombe who actively promoted the game, albeit somewhat eccentrically, in the early 20th century. Sir William's significant collection of memorabilia and his scrap books are held in the working papers room in the library at Barbican House. As a trainee teacher at Bishop Otter College in the 1950s I recall being introduced to the (to me) unfamiliar game, because we were almost certain to come upon it when we were unleashed upon local schools for our school practices. More recently, but still some time ago, one of my daughters played for a junior team in Crowborough. Many of the present day clubs field mixed teams but in origin it was exclusively a women's game - introduced, perhaps, to provide a female equivalent to cricket.
In the course of his research into stoolball Andrew uncovered documentary evidence for a female cricket team playing regularly at Glynde, several years before the Yorkshire club team who claim to be the oldest established in the country. In addition he proves without doubt that the first rules of stoolball were established and published in the East Sussex News, probably at the instigation of the indefatigable Glynde Butterflies, in 1867. This is earlier than the rules of any other women's team sport.
Most striking too is the evidence for universal participation in the sport. Considering the class conscious times it is revealing that here in Sussex, on the sports field at least, village girls, the daughters of the manse and of the local squire, all participated in the local teams.
If you know anyone who has an interest in Stoolball this book is a must; a stocking filler for Christmas perhaps.