The Cricket
Pavilion
There is no record of a cricket pavilion during the first 23 years at the new
ground but one can only surmise that John Bonham-Carter provided one. However in
1881 a new cricket pavilion was built at the south west side of the ground
funded by public subscription. The design was of such interest that it was
featured in the October 1881 issue of the ‘Builder’ which at the time was a
prestigious magazine for the industry. The article shows a substantial timber
building with a dressing room and toilets, a large luncheon room 15ft by 45ft
and of course a bar. The roof covering consisted of ‘withy strips’ which were
fixed in the same manner as ordinary thatch. The ridge of the roof had an
imposing central feature with a weather vane on top. Sadly the thatched pavilion
was burnt down in 1973.
The new pavilion was opend by Patrick Moore on 29th May 1978. Club President at
the time, George Vince is also shown in the photograph.
The pavilion as it is today
