A Shepherd Neame pub in Canterbury is now home to a blue plaque commemorating where the Canterbury and District Bat and Trap League was founded in 1922.
Scott Senior, general manager of Ye Olde Beverlie, in front of the blue plaque
The brewer has worked closed with The Canterbury Society to arrange for the plaque to be established at Ye Olde Beverlie to celebrate the part it played in the sport’s history. The groundwork for the quintessentially British sport was laid in a meeting held there.
Founder of the league, Robert William Humphreys — known as Bill — defined the standard size of equipment and pitches, before petitioning pub landlords to create spaces ahead of the inaugural season in 1923.
Shepherd Neame held a centenary celebration at Ye Olde Beverlie in 2022, giving guests the chance to try their hand at the game in the pub garden where it was first played.
“The game of bat and trap is something of a Kent tradition and it is believed that the game’s ancestor was first played in the 14th century,” said deputy chair of The Canterbury Society, John Walker.
“The Beverlie Inn opened for business in the 1740s, and it has records of the game being played there since it opened.
“Canterbury had very few of the famous Blue Plaques, despite having been home to many interesting and important people. We were delighted to receive a nomination from Shepherd Neame to include Mr Humphreys in our bid to recognise those connected with the city who deserve to be remembered and commemorated.”
Pub general manager Scott Senior said: “Bat and trap is still alive and kicking at Ye Olde Beverlie! We are honoured to be able to commemorate its beginnings here, and it is fitting that we are able to do so where it is still being enjoyed — and will be for years to come.”
