In 1873, Sir Henry Chaplin, later 1st Viscount Chaplin, was 33 years old. Known as "the Squire of Blankney" he inherited Blankney Hall and the Estate aged 21. It seems unlikely in 1873 that the cricket club could have been established without the patronage of Sir Henry, who, apart from being a local Conservative MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Cabinet Minister, was the owner of the 1867 Derby winner "The Hermit". He was a close friend of the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII (they attended Christ Church, Oxford together), with Blankney being a favourite haunt for the amorous clandestine liasons of the playboy prince, who had many mistresses, even after his marriage to Alexandra of Denmark in 1863. It is quite possible that one of these ladies, Lillie Langtry, Sarah Bernhardt, Lady Randolph Churchill (mother of Winston) or even Alice Keppel, the great grandmother of Camilla, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall may have watched a spot of cricket on a balmy summers' evening in Blankney!

Back to Prince Edward's friend, the colourful Sir Henry, who by now, despite his royal connections, social standing, and political and sporting success, had fallen on hard times by living an exceedingly extravagant lifestyle. Crippled by debts, he was forced to sell Blankney Hall and the estate in 1882 to Charles Denison, the1st Earl of Londesborough.  

The 1st Earl's patronage ensured that the club flourished into the 1900's, with the Londesborough patronage continuing right through to Hugo, the 4th Earl, who would watch the cricket from the north wing of Blankney Hall. A dashing and brave young man, serving as a Captain in the 1st Life Guards in the Great War, Lord Londesbourough married Lady Marigold, The Countess of Londesborough, in 1935. His Lordship and Lady Marigold, daughter of the Lord Lieutenant of the City of London, and High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, made the perfect couple. However, tragedy was to strike the family when on 17th May 1937, Lord Londesborough died suddenly and unexpectedly from an "internal complaint", 18 months after his wedding, aged only 42.  Sadly, the Londesborough title died with Lord Hugo, as he was without male issue.

The widowed Countess continued the Londesborough tradition of patronage of the cricket club  and was President of the club in the late 1930's. At this time, the club enjoyed patronage from other distinguished aristocrats and gentry, notably Lord Barnby, politician and decorated soldier, commander of the Nottinghamshire Yeomanry in the Great War, and Sir Victor Warrender, later to be Lord Bruntisfield, another politician, a former MP for Grantham and decorated soldier, who was awarded the Military Cross in the Great War whilst serving as a Lieutenant in the Grenadier Guards. Lord Barnby was also Master of the Blankney Hunt in 1919 and 1933. There is a photograph of a program for the 1937 season in the picture illustrating these facts. Lady Londesborough relinquished the title of Countess on the date of her second marriage in 1948 to Polish nobleman Captain Zygmunt Stanislaw de Lubicz-Bakanowsi, of the 18th Polish Lancers. She died in 1973, aged 73. 

It is not surprising, due to the long established history , genorosity, support and patronage of the Denison family, that on the club reforming in 1988, the members chose the Londesborough coat of arms as its badge.

The loss of the Londesborough patronage in the early 1940's, and the effects of the mobilization and utilization of all able bodied cricketers in the struggle against Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany resulted in the club falling on hard times, and, in 1945, the pavilion doors were closed for seemingly the very last time.

In 1988 the club was reformed on the very same site, and through the hard work of its' members, the ground was redeveloped and the present clubhouse built, which was opened by the then President Eric Parker Esq in 1991. The club is indebted to the Parker family, who have owned the 12,000 acre Blankney Estate now for over 60 years. Their patronage and support for the cricket club over the years has been immense, and it would be difficult to see a future for the club without their support and generosity.

The club is delighted that 2009 sees Richard Parker as Club President, and James Parker on the committee, continuing the family tradition of patronage and support of the club, thus ensuring that one of the most successful eras of Blankney cricket continues, and firmly cementing  the Parker family name in club history, placing them in some very distinguished company as patrons and supporters of the club alongside Viscount Chaplin, The Lords Londesborough, Lord Barnby, Sir Victor Warrender, The Countess of Londesborough............

..........And possibly even HRH King Edward VII !!!