Why is our club called "Arcadians"?

 

The name is derived from the ancient Greek province of Arcadia. 

 

The province's mountains and sparse population of shepherds later caused the word Arcadia to develop into a poetic byword for an idyllic vision of unspoiled wilderness. The inhabitants were often regarded as having continued to live after the manner of the Golden Age, living close to nature, uncorrupted by civilization, and virtuous. In an Utopian vision, Arcadia is associated with bountiful natural splendor and harmony. So it is perhaps no coincidence that cricket was first played by Flemish shepherds and weavers, immigrating to Surrey and Kent in the 13th century (which is now a proven fact!). Due to this, Arcadia has remained a popular artistic subject since antiquity: the Roman poet Virgil wrote a series of poems set in Arcadia, an example followed in medieval European literature (for example, Dante's Divina Commedia). Arcadia became a symbol of pastoral simplicity, an idyllic location or paradise. The concept also figures in Renaissance mythology, especially remembered in the painting by Nicholas Poussin (1637-1638) "Et in Arcadia ego" (i.e. I once was happy).

 

As such, cricket played on a village green in the English countryside seems a real modern time Arcadia: a day away from the noise and the hassle of the city, no stress but camaraderie on the field of play, simply enjoy the sport whatever your age or experience is. Arcadians wants to emulate this true spirit of cricket, unspoilt and open for all who like the game.