New 2024 displays unveiled at Warwickshire museum

Warwickshire’s Club museum has benefitted from a new look inside and out.

The museum – which welcomed 12,000 visitors last year, including 4,600 during the men’s Ashes – has been given an exterior redesign with a photo montage featuring images of Bears greats through the years.

And there are several new displays for the 2024 season, including a section on the West Indies ahead of their Test visit to Edgbaston from 26 to 30 July.

The display includes a cap that belonged to West Indies legend Gary Sobers; the West Indies blazer worn by Bear Alvin Kallicharran; a team photo of the Windies taken at Edgbaston in 1957; and autographed bats from past England v West Indies Tests.

There is also a new cabinet display dedicated to Bob Willis that contains the Bob Willis Trophy and cricket balls used by Willis during some of his many memorable displays for Warwickshire.

And another new-for-2024 exhibition remembers Jimmy Ord who scored almost 12,000 runs in 273 First Class appearances for Warwickshire between 1933 and 1953.

Warwickshire Museum Curator Phil Britt, said: “It was great to see so many visitors in 2023, especially families and children taking time to learn more about the Club’s history and the many great teams and players who’ve played at Edgbaston.

“It’s the first time the West Indies have played at Edgbaston since the ‘pink ball’ Test back in 2017, which was the first day-night Test in the country, so there’s lots of excitement about this summer’s match.

“We also have a quirky new display for this summer looking back at the ‘Brumbrella’ as the famous Warwickshire ground covering was affectionately known. We have lots of photos, letters, reports and press cuttings from the time which should bring back lots of memories.”

The museum – which also has a wide selection of pre-owned cricket books for sale – is situated behind the Wyatt Stand.

It’s open at lunch of Vitality County Championship matches, before all Vitality Blast and the Hundred games, and during the interval in Metro Bank One Day Cup days.

Visitors can also attend during international matches.