Sydney Barnes, Borough Hall, Stafford

Description:Sydney Barnes is seated second from right. This photograph was taken on the occasion of an ITV broadcast of 'Home Town, Saturday Night' at the Borough Hall, Stafford. Seated, left to right, are Jane Fyffe, a local singer (facing the camera), Mr H. Kean, Sydney Barnes, and McDonald Hobley, television announcer.

The show included performances of singers backed by Joe Loss and His Orchestra, an interview with Sydney Barnes cponducted by Leslie Duckworth, and McDonald Hobley interviewing Stafford people.

S.F. (Sydney) Barnes was born in Smethwick, Staffordshire in 1873 and died in Chadsmoor, Staffordshire in 1967. He was described by Wisden as the world's greatest bowler. Even though he was a regular player for England, he continued playing for Staffordshire throughout his career. For England, he took 189 wickets at an average of 16.43 between 1901 and 1914. He retired from cricket while playing for Stone Cricket Club and coaching at Alleyne's Grammar School in 1940, when he was 67. He then worked for Staffordshire County Council as a copperplate writer until he was well over 90.

Reproduced by Kind Permission of the Staffordshire Newsletter who retain copyright.