AS part of the local Cricket Heritage Project, University of Huddersfield lecturers Dr Peter Davies and Rob Light have produced a collection of booklets relating to the Kirklees and Calderdale areas.

One from the joint authors is The Development of Cricket in Kirklees c1700-2000: An Overview - which includes many references to current Drakes League clubs.

One such entry refers to a special bazaar held by Armitage Bridge in 1907 to raise money for new 'Sight Boards' while a section on clothing shows a picture of Broad Oak's J Washington, who made a record score of 210 in the 1928 Sykes Cup final against Kirkburton.

Elsewhere, there is a team picture of Sir Garfield Sobers, playing with Paddock in 1964 along with pictures of Almondbury and Emley in the 1800s.

A second booklet, entitled 'Lost' the former cricket clubs and grounds of Halifax and Calderdale, is by Andrew Hardcastle.

One inclusion describes the demise of Halifax, when the Thrum Hall ground was sold to supermarket chain Asda in 1996, while the club were members of the Huddersfield League.

And Barkisland once played at Horse Godley before moving to their present ground.

From Barnsley to Batley, by Mike Butler, has probably less significance to Huddersfield people, but with a history of the Heavy Woollen District Challenge Cup from 1883-2000 it includes coverage of many finals, including one remarkable win for Lascelles Hall when they bowled out Ossett for a mere 33.

All the books, including An Anthology of Cricket Poems, by Lee Hughes, are available from Peter Davies by phoning him on 01484 472405, or emailing p.j.davies@hud.ac.uk

* Former Barnsley Joe Lumb Cup wicketkeeper-batsman Chris Beck is on the look-out for a club in the Huddersfield League.

The 20-year-old has been involved with Barnsley since 2002, helping them win promotion on several occasions, the last in 2005 when they won South Yorkshire I.

The son of former Scholes player Ian is now looking to further his career by moving to the higher standard provided by the Drakes League.

Anyone club who may be looking for a wicketkeeper-batsman should contact him by e-mailing ianbeck@hotmail.co.uk