Keeley Cricket Bat Factory where the magic happens.
Welcome to my blog about Keeley Cricket. Premium handmade cricket bats – a staple for international pros and discerning club cricketers alike.
Few names carry the weight of heritage and hands-on expertise like Keeley. Based in the picturesque village of Ashburnham, East Sussex. Keeley Cricket is a family-run operation that embodies the "workshop" tradition of English bat-making. The Keeley family has lived on this land for over 200 years – the last four generations worked on the family timber mill. Apparently wood is in their blood - and I can see why.
Keeley isn't just a brand; it’s a masterclass in longevity. The business is led by Tim Keeley, a master bat maker who began his journey as an apprentice at Gray-Nicolls in 1975.
Read on about my day portraying the tradition of the finest English bat-making.
Ted Jolly & Tim Keeley - Master Bat Makers at Gray - Nicolls May 1975
Tim worked under the legendary John Newbery and has personally handcrafted over 500,00 bats throughout his career. The team includes Tim’s brothers, Nick (a willow specialist) and Fred (sawmill expert), and his children, Keira and Heston.
While mass-produced bats often feel "dead" or require massive break-in periods, Keeley bats are known for their exceptional "ping" right out of the box. What more could you want?
Nick Keeley collecting from the kiln.
Nick Keeley hand-selects every cleft, drawing on 40 years of experience to identify wood with the best performance potential.
Tim Keeley utilizes a unique triple-pressing technique. This ensures the willow is condensed perfectly to provide maximum power without sacrificing the "feel" or longevity of the bat.
Every bat is sanded, buffed, and polished by hand to perfection.
Tim Keeley inspecting a bat he has shaped.
Cricketer Darren Stevens calls in to see Tim.
Timmy Bayne working on the finishing of a bat.
Timmy Bayne is the customer service man, having worked and managed many cricket shops in the UK over the last 45 years. Alongside working the shops he has been a highly recommended cricket coach for many years for Sussex, Surrey, Kent and numerous schools. If Timmy can't find your perfect bat, no one can.
Tim Keeley with younger brother Fred Keeley (right) who manages the saw mill and Tim’s son Heston (left) an apprentice bat maker. He assists with buffing, sanding, and preparing clefts, while also learning the art of bat shaping and finishing..
The saw mill on the land where it all began.
A wonderful array of memorabilia.
Below a selection of images to share.
I hope you have found this blog as fascinating as have photographing it. This link takes you to the Keeley Cricket website. Feel free to share this blog with others.
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