A UNXQUE occasion was celebrated at
Bourne Park, Bishopsbourne, near Canter-
bury on ]uly 28. ln perfect weather and
beautiful surroundings a 40-overs match
took place between a team of Kent over-50s
and Sussex over-S05. This was followed in
the evening by an open-air concert of music
by Mozart in the nearby gardens of Bourne
Place, given by the Beaufort Wind Ensemble.
These events, in aid of the Canterbury Um-
brella Charity, marked a visit by the young
Mozart at the age of nine, in Iuly, 1765.
The proceedings were opened by E. W.
Swanton at 1.30 pm. Brian Luckhurst, the
former Kent and England player, opened for
the Kent team. The former ‘Sussex player,
Ken Suttle, opened for the visitors. The Kent
team won by 43 runs.
The Mozart family, which included
young Wolfgang's father, mother and sister,
were on their first visit to England. The
young composer and his sister Nannerl
played at several concerts in London and ap-
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The young Mozart: did he play cricket in
England in 1765.7
peared before the King and Queen.
On their way back to the Continent
they were invited to Bourne Park as the
guests of Horatio Mann (1744-1814). Mann,
who was later knighted, was one of cricket's
great benefactors. His enthusiasm caused the
formation of the original Bourne Park club
in 1766. He also organised many important
matches on his other grounds at Linton, near
Maidstone, Sissinghurst and Dandelion
Park, Margate. There is little doubt that
young Mozart was introduced to cricket dur-
ing his stay and shown how to play.
The Mozart family left London by
coach on ]uly 24 and spent the night in
Canterbury. They stayed at Bourne Park un-
til the end of the month. One excursion was
a visit to the nearby Canterbury Races on
Barham Downs. A concert was arranged in
Canterbury but had to be cancelled. After
a final night in Canterbury the family
departed from Dover on Aug 1.
Horatio Mann enjoyed a life rather
more dedicated to pleasure than business. He
was an MP from 1774 to 1807, though he
seems to have regarded cricket as much more
important than politics. He played twice for
Kent. More importantly he arranged
numerous matches between notable teams
such as Hambledon and Kentish teams, and
great rivalry existed.
He was also responsible for introducing
a number of important players to Kent, such
as lames Aylward and the brothers John and
George Ring. Aylward was a hard-hitting
batsman who was employed by Mann as his
bailiff. Born in Hampshire, he had played
regularly for Hambledon before Mann took
him to Kent. He played regularly for the
county and was the first player to score over
1000 runs.
The Ring brothers were also employed
by Mann, and John played for Kent for 15
years. ln a single-wicket match at
Bishopsbourne between Six of Kent and Six
of Hambledon, Kent needed 59 to win. Iohn
Ring went in last but one. Mann offered him
£10 a year for life if he scored the runs. Ring
made 57, Aylward the other two, and Kent
won by one wicket.
John Ring died at 42 after his brother
had bowled a ball which rose and broke his
nose.
Crowds of 15-20,000 are recorded as at-
tending the matches at Bourne Park, and a
large grandstand was erected. Cricket has
been revived again here in recent years and
Bourne Park is a regular venue for the
prominent St Lawrence 5,: Highland Court
club.
Sir Horatio Mann may be regarded as
the best friend Kent cricket ever had before
the great Lord Harris. He was described as
being gay and affable. When anxious about
a match he was inclined to walk about out-
side the ground cutting -down daisies with his
stick.
ln 1800 one of his more eccentric ideas
was to arrange a match at Harrietsharn. Both
teams appeared an horsebaick. The bats had
very long handles specially made for the oc-
casion.
it is fitting that Horatio Mann and
Niozart whose own behaviour was eccen-
tric at times‘ should both be remembered on
this memorable occasion.

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