Records of Norman Martinelli

Collection includes a letter from Norman Martinelli describing his time working at the Guardian, in particular his involvement with the Guardian cricket club, 1961-1987. Also contains artefacts relating to the Guardian Cricket Club such as ties, scarves and handkerchief, photographs, and other related papers.

Norman Martinelli joined the Guardian newspaper in 1961 and worked in the production department as a compositor.

Before joining the newspaper he served in the Royal Air force (RAF) overseas. Organised and managed a variety of sports in the RAF, mainly in Germany. Contributed football submissions to the Armed Forces newspaper during the Second World War. On returning he was offered role in charge of Union Jack: The newspaper for the British Fighting Forces, which he turned down as he wished to return to civilian life following five-and-a-half years in the RAF.

Martinelli, with his wife, June, were founding members of the Guardian staff Cricket Club.

The Guardian Cricket Club was founded in 1968 following the arrangement of a cricket match between the editorial and production personnel at the newspaper. The cricket club grounds were at Gunnersbury Park, London. The first presidents of the club were Neville Cardus and John Arlott.

The Guardian Cricket Club toured India in 1974 and later toured the west coast of America and Sri Lanka in 1981.

Martinelli retired from the Guardian in 1987.

Open. Records may be viewed in our reading room by appointment only, see our website for more information.

Memoir donated in 2001 as part of a project by the Guardian to gather material for the archive. Cricket club artefacts, photographs and other papers donated by his wife, June Martinelli, in 2006.

A full catalogue description for this collection can be found on the GNM Archive catalogue.