The connection between Bradfield and Pelsham began when Reverend Thomas Stevens, Founder of Bradfield College, gave his 3rd daughter Miss Mary Anne Stevens to be married to John Oldrid Scott FSA, who was at Bradfield from 1856-1858. An Architect, he was from a family of distinguished architects and designed many churches and cathedrals including richly decorated St Sophia’s Cathedral in London. He was also a Member of Council at Bradfield College from 1889-1902.

Their son Thomas Gilbert Scott was also educated at Bradfield College from 1885 to 1891. He was a member of the Bradfield College Cricket XI in 1889 – 1891 and Football XI 1890-1 before he went to Hertford College, Oxford in 1892. He later became a Member of Council at Bradfield College too. He is photographed in a cricket team below in 1887.

At Bradfield, the new cricket ground on Pit came into action in 1926 and when the pavilion was added by the generosity of Old Boys it became one of the most attractive cricket fields in the whole country.

In his work Thomas became a Stockbroker and bought the Pelsham Estate in Sussex and built the Pelsham Cricket Ground. He founded the Pelsham side and established a Cricket Week during which Bradfield Waifs and other touring clubs, including India and West Indies, were invited to play.

1929 was the first one day annual fixture at Pelsham. Pelsham were captained by Robert Scott, Captain of Sussex County Cricket Club and son of Thomas Scott. In Mousdale’s ‘A History 1877-1977’ of the Bradfield Waifs, he notes that “a short August tour in Sussex was to be followed by a visit to Pelsham, where the splendid hospitality of T G Scott was to be experienced for the first time. These arrangements have been the foundation of the fixture list ever since, always with the wonderful finish at Pelsham which was to continue for over thirty years.”

‘1933 was overshadowed by the sudden tragic death of Tom Scott, the so generous host whose Pelsham match had become such a feature of the season, but very fortunately Mrs Scott with the help of her sons was able and even anxious to carry on the fixture as before’, Mousdale noted.

After WW2 the Pelsham fixture continued and a return annual fixture at Bradfield commenced during Bradfield Cricket Week.

In 1957 Robert Scott died aged 48 leaving four children – Sally, Janet, Patrick and Gilbert.

The Pelsham Estate was sold.

Since then the following people, together or in turn, have helped to keep the fixture alive over the years maintaining the family and friends connection:

Hoel Pattisson, brother-in-law of Robert; Simon Pattisson, nephew of Robert; Patrick Scott, son of Robert and brother of Gilbert ‘Gil’ Scott (H 62-65) a Waif and educated at Bradfield; Nigel Goodeve Docker, friend of Patrick – Nigel ran the side for more years than any other and helped to keep the fixture alive. Today Pelsham is run jointly by Mark Goodeve Docker, son of Nigel and Jesse Pattisson, son of Simon. Mark captains the side. In recent years, Max Fossett, the great great great great grandson of Reverend Stevens also played for Pelsham after finishing his GCSEs.

There is a very apt quotation by Harry Altham, Mr Cricket as titled by Mousdale: “For this game is unique, its roots were old when the Tudors were young, it combines combat with chivalry, it enriches our memories, it widens and deepens our friendships.”

This is most certainly true of the Pelsham game against the Bradfield Waifs and its long history of friendly rivalry.

Waif's Week takes place each year after the end of term during the first week in July.