Fast-paced cricket and traditional fish and chips in the heart of a ‘living museum’ formed the unlikely but hugely successful setting of a business networking event organised by Worcestershire County Cricket Club in partnership with The Black Country Living Museum and Waldrons Solicitors.
The ‘Black Country Sixes’, a one-of-a-kind corporate cricket game, was held on the cobbled streets of the treasured heritage site and saw 15 local businesses trade suits for sportswear, taking part in a six-a-side style cricket competition that blended sport, history, and networking in an unforgettable setting.
The fun and creative event, organised by Worcestershire County Cricket Club in partnership with The Worcestershire Cricket Foundation and supported by headline sponsor Waldrons Solicitors marked the club’s first major initiative under a landmark new partnership with the Black Country Living Museum. The collaboration aims to celebrate regional heritage while creating innovative platforms for local businesses and community engagement to thrive.
Participants in the event, including Dudley Building Society, SRC Accountancy, Prosperity Wealth, and Specialist Vehicle Logistics, all enjoyed classic Black Country hospitality, with traditional fish and chips and drinks at the historic village pub in the heart of the museum. The evening of friendly competition encouraged team spirit, creativity, and genuine connections.
Joe Tromans, Commercial Director at Worcestershire County Cricket Club: “This event was all about reconnecting with our roots in the Black Country and celebrating the rich heritage we share with this part of the region. Dudley was our second home for much of the 20th century, with many great matches played here. Indeed, sporting legends like Don Kenyon, who scored a record 34,490 runs for the club between 1946 and 1967, made their mark here. The museum even has a special ‘Don Kenyon’s kitchen’ in their 1960s street as a tribute, so it felt like the ideal place to bring cricket back to the region.
Joe added: “We wanted to create something genuinely fun and different for local businesses. An event that goes beyond the usual networking format and gets people talking, moving, and connecting in a hands-on way. That’s what this club is all about, fusing tradition with innovation, and doing things with personality and purpose.
“The Street Sixes was designed to bring people together in a fun, memorable setting and judging by the smiles, banter and business cards being swapped, we absolutely hit the mark!”
Joseph Norton, MD of Title Sponsor Waldrons Solicitors added, “This was an exciting moment for the firm. It has pitched us front and centre in a community-focused event that reflects our values and gives us an edge in connecting with the region’s business leaders.
“This sponsorship is more than just our name on the event, it’s an opportunity to strengthen our ties with the region, showcase our brand to a wider business audience and begin a new partnership with Worcestershire County Cricket Club.”
The event was the first in the club and Black Country Living Museum’s new partnership which is set to deliver a series of collaborative events, including history-themed matchdays, heritage-driven fan experiences, and further business and community activations. It also represents a symbolic reconnection to the club’s past, Dudley having been a second home for Worcestershire cricket throughout much of the 20th century, where thousands of local fans once flocked to see first-class matches.
Looking ahead, the club plans to build on this momentum with further initiatives, including the return of the Business of Cricket Winter Event, connecting leaders across sport, culture and enterprise in equally innovative ways.
