William [Billy] Beldham
Life in Elmbridge
Silver Billy was one of a number of prominent cricketers of the day who formed the first 'Moulsey Hurst Cricket Club' in 1787. It is recorded that during the same year Silver Billy hit a ball at Molesey Hurst for which ten runs were scored.
Beldham Gardens near Hurst Park is named after him.
Life outside Elmbridge
William Beldham was born in Wrecclesham, Surrey and is known as one of the greatest bowlers of the underarm period . He was known as 'Silver Billy' because of his light-coloured hair and his fair complexion.
In a first-class career that lasted 36 years, Beldham played in 189 First Class matches and scored 7,045 runs at an average of 21.48.
Billy was only an occasional bowler but he took 213 first class wickets and had 333 catches and 49 stumpings. He played for Surrey from 1788 to 1817 and for All England from 1787 to 1821. At a time when betting on results was rife Beldham was noted for his fair play and integrity.
The only blot on his playing career was that on one occasion when he was bowling he caused bias on the ball by adding a lump of mud and sawdust in order to cause deviation. A portrait of Silver Billy hangs at both Lords and The Oval.
In The Cricketers of My Time, John Nyren, who knew Beldham personally, eulogised his batting prowess:
"…(he was) safer than the Bank"; "…he would get at the balls and hit them away in gallant style. But when he could cut them at the point of his bat, he was in all his glory; and, upon my life, their speed was as the speed of thought";
"…one of the most beautiful sights that can be imagined, and which would have delighted an artist, was to see him make himself up to hit a ball. It was the beau ideal (sic) of grace, animation, and concentrated energy".
William Beldham was married twice. He was reputed to have fathered 39 children but this is a myth. He had nine children in total; one, a daughter from his first marriage and eight from his second (five boys and three girls). His first marriage was sadly ended by the death of his daughter and then two months later his wife. His second marriage was long and happy. He retired to Tilford and became landlord of The Barley Mow for 20 years.
Sources
- Silver Billy Beldham briefing paper (PDF)
- John Nyren, pp.90–91, quoted in FAMpeople: Billy Beldham
- Graham Collyer's History of Farnham Cricket, quoted above