PENARTH Cricket Club will celebrate their 160-year anniversary at a special dinner on Saturday (April 9).

Thought to be one of, if not the oldest cricket club in South Wales, they will hold the milestone event at the Penarth Athletic Club, Lavernock Road, at 6pm.

“It’s an opportunity for a new generation of cricketers to celebrate the history and heritage of a long-standing community institution,” said Rhys Morgan, social secretary for the club.

“The club means a lot to the current crop of players and we want to mark this special milestone properly.

“It’s testament to everyone involved that there is so much of a family and community feel at the club, and we want to ensure that continues.”

Believed to have been formed in 1851, Penarth CC originally played on Llandough Moors.

Between 1880 and 1892, together with Penarth RFC, they played on the land now occupied by All Saints Church, and after that on the land where the Masonic Hall now stands.

In 1924 the clubs moved to the Athletic Field and a pavilion was built at a cost of £300. This burnt down in 1926 and was rebuilt, being extended in the 1950s.

In 1996 however it was burnt down by vandals, and a new pavilion was opened in 2001 with the help of the Vale of Glamorgan Council and Sportlot.

Penarth CC currently play in the Glamorgan and Monmouth Premiership at the Athletic Field - and the 1st XI will begin their new season on April 30.

And to further commemorate the club's history, they will be holding a ‘cricket week’ beginning July 23 - which they hope will draw in even more players to the club.

“We are always looking for new players and are particularly targeting the schools to get kids playing as early as possible,” said club secretary Gareth Davies.

“We are in a strong position already with hundreds of kids training and playing, but we are always looking to move forward."

Social secretary Rhys added: “We currently run four sides, catering to varying ability levels, and the social scene is improving all the time.

“Hopefully it will improve even further through these events.”

President Graham Crimp said the cricket club remains a 'family environment' and said he was very much looking forward to the anniversary dinner.

“It promises to be a special occasion,” he said.

Penarth Cricket Club's 160th anniversary dinner will be held on Saturday, April 9. At 6pm at Penarth Athletic Club there will be a Champagne Reception, with coaches for Holland House leaving at 6.45pm (included in price).