Country house cricket thrived in the grounds of Lord Tredegar’s home during the late Victorian and early Edwardian era, with the games being accompanied by lavish entertainment in the house, allowing Godfrey to mingle with his political and social chums. Amongst the opponents were I Zingari, the Monmouthshire Militia, the Welsh Regiment and an all-amateur side known as the Monmouthshire Butterflies.

In 1896 Godfrey also appointed Foster Stedman, a talented batsman from Suffolk as his Land Agent. Stedman’s duties embraced more than just overseeing the property as from 1896 until 1903 he was both secretary and captain of the Monmouthshire CCC side. Stedman also oversaw cricketing activities at Tredegar Park which, by the early 1900s, included an annual cricket week allowing Stedman to run his eye over prospective amateurs who had aspirations of playing for Monmouthshire. and appearing in the more serious matches at Rodney Parade, and the other minor county grounds where Monmouthshire played.

Godfrey, who never married, died in 1913 but cricket continued to be played for many years at Tredegar Park with the ground also being used by a number of Newport-based teams. The House also had its own rugby and hockey teams, whilst in 1920 the Tredegar Park Polo Club was formed. In 1951 the Morgan family sold the House and estate, with its new owners being the Roman Catholic church. A convent and boarding school were created, followed later by St. Joseph’s RC Comprehensive School. In 1974 the House and grounds were purchased by Newport City Council and in December 2011 the National Trust signed an agreement with the City Council to manage the house and grounds.

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