News archive

Royal To Host Gala Dinner

Annual Event Returns For 175th Celebrations

Saturday 22^nd November 2025

7:00pm

Ventnor's famous old Royal Hotel is to host a special club Gala Dinner on Saturday 22nd November 

The fifth and last of our major 175th anniversary events, it sees the club's annual dinner return to the calendar after an absence of several years and it will bring down the curtain on a fabulous year which has included a special evening with Matthew Hoggard (April) and visits by Hampshire (June), the MCC (July) and Lashings World XI (August). 

The Gala Dinner begins at 6:30pm with sit-down for a very special three-course dinner following at 7:15pm.  Following brief (promise!) contributions from some of those who helped make the club what it is today, entertainment takes over at around 9:30pm. The event will then conclude at midnight. 

This special event is designed, according to the 175 events team, to celebrate the club's "role in the life of our community over generations, nurturing talent, building friendships, and fostering a love of cricket that has stood the test of time". 

Whatever your role and interest in the club - playing or non-playing - this is one for you. 

Pricing and menu

Tickets are priced at £49.50 per head with a menu comprising: 

• Starter: Ham Hock Terrine - Pickled Vegetables - Mustard Mayonnaise
  • Vegetarian option: Courgette and Red Pepper Tart - Romesco Sauce - Pesto - Rocket Salad
• Main: Roast Beef Sirloin - Champ Mash - Bacon - Cabbage - Onions - Mushrooms - Jus
  • Vegetarian option: Cauliflower Steak - Chimichurri - Leeks - Pinenut
• Dessert: Sticky Toffee Pudding - Butterscotch Sauce - Vanilla Ice Cream.

Ticket-Sales and Availability 

Remaining spaces at the Gala Dinner can be booked directly by clicking on this link which uses the club's Spond Management system.  

Further information

For further general information about the Gala Dinner, please contact ventnorccevents@gmail.com

 

Rugby Evening @ Steephill

Very special bar prices!

Saturday 8^th November 2025 - Saturday 8^th November 2025

1:00pm

Coinciding with the special Golf Day organised by Jack Powell & Ali Cotton for Saturday 8th November, the club bar will be open from 1pm and run well into the evening.

Do pop along to join us after the Golf to watch some rugby and spend the evening. 

There will be food and some very special bar prices:  draught beer & cider at £2.50 per pint and bottled lagers @ £2.00.

We look forward to seeing you!        

Lashings Returns To Steephill

Global stars renew old rivalry

Friday 15^th August 2025

Probably the biggest event of Ventnor's very special 175 season, the renowned Lashings World XI, sometimes referred to as ‘the Harlem Globetrotters of Cricket’,  comes to Steephill on Friday 15th August. 

Lashings’ much anticipated visit renews a long-standing Ventnor tradition but it will be the first encounter since 2017.

The match itself (a T20) is scheduled to be underway by 3:30pm and conclude around 6:15-6:30pm.  Advance events include a special junior coaching session in the morning (10:30) and a marquee lunch at the Cove end from 12:45pm.   

And there's no need to hurry away: following the match there will be live music (from 18:30-19:00 approx) in the bar with The Ohmz - last seen in Ventnor in the Rotunda at the Fringe (Friday 18 July).  There will also be live music before the match. 

This match comes with very special thanks to our group of principal match sponsors:   The Chequers @ Rookley; Gentlemen and Players clothing; Matt White Communications;  Rouse Ltd financial planning; and A J Wells.  And, not least, to the many club volunteers who have worked long hours to put the game on.  Without their support, this event simply would not take place. 

Star-studded line-up

Lashings will include WI great, Courtney Walsh with TMS legend, Henry Blofeld (‘Blowers’) on commentary and Sir Gordon Greenidge in attendance.   In addition, we also have confirmations so far for:

• Former England leggie, Chris Schofield, who will captain the side
• Ex-Bangladeshi captain, Mohammad Ashraful
• SA test all-rounder, Nicky Boje
• Somerset & England batter, James Hildreth
• Pakistan all-rounder, Yasir Arafat
• England Disability keeper, Hugo Hammond
• Surrey & England quick, Martin Bicknell and
• WI test-batter, Kirk Edwards.

Access on the Day, Marquee Lunch & Facilities

Ground admission - payable on the gate on the day - is priced at £5.  There are no advance ground sales. The public admission gates - on Steephill Road or from the club car-park - will open at 1:00pm. Meanwhile, the special marquee lunch is currently sold out with over 250 attending. 

For ground visitors, on the day facilities will include the club's own bar and refreshments together with visiting burger bar van and an ice-cream van.  There will also be a special raffle - a joint promotion on behalf of the club and our friends at St Catherine's School, the only day and residential education and therapy provider in the UK that specialises in working with young people with speech, language and communication needs aged 9-25.

Finally, St John's Ambulance will be in attendance to assist anyone feeling unwell or in the event of injury. 

On-the-day parking

VCC's own parking on-the-day will be strictly limited and is largely reserved.  Additional pay-parking will be available 'next door' at the neighbouring Ventnor Botanic Gardens.  Please note that VBG has created 31 additional temporary spaces for the Lashings event. 

Alternatively, visitors can seek on-street parking between Ventnor Park and Steephill or use one of the town's car parks.  Finally, the club has arranged for a park-and-ride facility from free parking kindly provided by Ventnor RFC (both rugby and old football car parks) at Watcombe Bottom on the Whitwell Road.   A free minibus shuttle service will run from VRFC to VCC from shortly after 11:30 until 3:15 and in reverse from 6:15-7:15pm. (Please note, parking at VRFC is entirely at owner's risk).  

In any event visitors are strongly advised to double up and share cars where feasible. 

And finally: health & safety

Whether you are a frequent or casual attendee at cricket matches, please do remember to take care when walking round the ground especially during play.  And please ensure that young children are accompanied in the ground at all times.  

General queries to:  the 175 Event Team at info@ventnorcc.co.uk

 

Treble Congratulations to Sam Mills

Saturday 2^nd August 2025

TREBLE CONGRATULATIONS TO SAM MILLS!

It has been quite a few weeks for Sam Mills, Ventnor’s talented 17-year-old wicketkeeper-batter.

Sam, who has recently broken into the Hampshire Academy side competing in the Southern League Premier Division, also struck a splendid maiden century for Hampshire Pathways against Sussex Young Cricketers in the ECB Under 18 County Championship.

He hit fifteen boundaries in an impressive 126-ball knock of 108 in the drawn three-day fixture earlier this week.

Now the Ventnor youngster is off to South Africa — swapping his cricket gear for a rugby kit — after being named in Rugby School’s squad for their two-week tour of Cape Town.

Many congratulations and best wishes from all at Ventnor Cricket Club!

MCC @ Steephill for 175th Anniversary

Sunday 27 July (11:30)

Sunday 27^th July 2025

The third in our special 175th anniversary events, the MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) - probably the world's most famous cricket club, and guardian of the laws of the game - will visit Steephill on Sunday 27 July to play the club's 1st XI.

The game - a classic 50-over per side one-day format - will be underway at 11:30.  Lunch will be taken between approximately 2:00-2:30pm and the game is expected to conclude at about 5:00pm. 

Bar and refreshments will be available and there is no charge to attend this game. 

Very special thanks are due to our match sponsor, Isle of Wight Tomatoes, for their invaluable support.

Parking and other 175 events

If you are bringing a car please note that VCC's own parking on site is strictly limited.  So you are recommended either to pay for parking at the neighbouring Ventnor Botanic Gardens or to seek on-street parking between Ventnor Park and Steephill.  

Part of Ventnor's 175th Anniversary celebrations, the MCC's visit follows the earlier Evening with Matthew Hoggard (April) and the visit of a Hampshire CCC Representative XI (June).  Still to come are the visit of a Lashings World XI on Friday 15 August and the concluding Gala Dinner at the Royal Hotel on Saturday 22 November.  

 

Hampshire XI Visiting (Weds 4th June)

2024 Championship Runners-Up @ Steephill

Wednesday 4^th June 2025 - Wednesday 4^th June 2025

 

Continuing Ventnor CC’s 175th anniversary celebrations, a  Hampshire County Cricket Club Representative XI will visit Steephill on Wednesday 4th June to take on the home side in a T20 contest.  It will  be the only chance to see the first-class county side in the Island in 2025.

The match, which is free-of-charge, will be underway from 3pm and conclude about 6pm. Bar and BBQ will be available from 2pm and continue after the match. 

The Hampshire side will be managed by Charlie Freeston, a former Ventnor captain and now the county’s head of player development.  He has promised a strong XI for the occasion. 

This will likely include several first team regulars – notably, Nick Gubbins, the former England Lions batsman with more than 8,500 first-class runs to his name and former South African test star, Kyle Abbott. 

Ventnor CC will be delighted to welcome as many local residents as possible to celebrate this special occasion. 

 

Parking

Please note that parking is limited at the club.  Additional parking is available in the adjacent Ventnor Botanic Gardens car-park (£5 per day) as well on-street along Park Avenue heading west to Steephill. 

-ends-

Hoggy Opens 175 Celebrations in Style

Former England Quick Live At Steephill

Saturday 5^th April 2025

In a very special start to the Club’s 175th Anniversary celebrations, former England fast-bowling legend, Matthew Hoggard MBE (aka ‘Hoggy’) took to the stage at Steephill on Saturday 5th April (6pm).

A renowned after-dinner speaker and raconteur, Hoggy delighted a 90-strong audience over a buffet dinner in the Sports Hall with his tales of his rise through the game from Pudsey's 3rd XI - "I'd have been in the 4s if they'd had one!" - to a starring role in the epic 2005 Ashes-winning series.

Compered by club 1st XI skipper, Ben Woodhouse, Hoggy made himself at home - from an extended stint behind the bar (any time Hoggy) beforehand to chatting animatedly with many attendees after. 

Warmest thanks to all those members and friends who joined us for this wonderful evening.  And not least to the 175 co-ordinating team (Ben & Lou Woodhouse, Luke Butler, Graeme Burnett, Gary Legg and Bill Nichols) for their work in putting Hoggy on the Steephill stage. 

Fiona Newnham awarded BEM

Sunday 5^th January 2025

Congratulations Fiona who has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to sport in the King's New Year's honours.

We are very proud and grateful for all the hard work, time and effort Fi dedicates to not only Ventnor CC but also her commitments with Hampshire.

Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for us and a huge congratulations from everyone at VCC!

Ventnor 2nd XI division 3 south champions

Saturday 31^st August 2024

Congratulations to our 2nd XI who were crowned Hampshire Cricket League - Division 3 South 2024 Champions on Saturday, gaining 'back to back' promotions.

They finished the season in style, with a dominant home performance winning by 6 wickets against Shanklin & Godshill CC leaving the Steephill faithful more than happy.

Congratulations to everyone who contributed to the 2nd XI this season - some effort to gain 'back to back' promotions!

Coming Soon

Stairway to Steephill Heaven

Friday 16^th August 2024

Update: Sunday 17 March 2025

The wait is nearly over… The club’s long-planned replacement of the condemned old pavilion staircase is nearly done.

The new staircase is on site, and part-assembled in preparation for the new 175th anniversary season. 

Special thanks to all the volunteer group who answered groundsman Ali Cotton's call to undertake the principal work - and to the evergreen Sid Owen, who showed as safe a pair of hands with his spindle-fitting as he did back in the day behind the stumps. 

Thanks are also due to many people who contributed funding for the club's ability to carry out this project.  There will a comprehensive acknowledgement upon completion when a special opening event is also planned.