There are two trophies named after members of the Shakespeare family:

The W G Shakespeare Trophy

The W G Shakespeare Memorial Trophy was established in 1953 to commemorate my maternal grandfather. He had been Statistical Officer (1906-1933) and Honorary Secretary (1933-1946) of the Birmingham Public Parks Cricket Association (BPPCA).

When the design was submitted to my grandmother for approval it was said to be groundbreaking because it was quite unlike any cricket trophy previously created.

My grandmother was invited to present the trophy on the occasion of its first award.

This took place at the Tower Ballroom, Edgbaston. Here she is seen with (left) the captain of the winning team (Madeley) and (centre) an official from BPPCA.

For many years thereafter either my grandmother, or one of her children, continued to present the trophy at the Association's end of season dance.

(Photo by Birmingham Gazette and Despatch Ltd.)

After a chequered history the trophy has now come to rest in the museum at Warwickshire County Cricket Club.

The Bill Shakespeare Trophy

Bill Shakespeare was the eldest son of W G Shakespeare and a keen cricketer.

This trophy was established in his honour (in 1999) by his many friends at Castle Bromwich Methodist church which he attended after the closure of Washwood Heath Methodist church in 1972.

Even as a widower he was a keen supporter of the regular whist drives, which is where this trophy is played for.