Tickhill CC Pavilion and Clubhouse

Today marks the start of the local cricket season so I took the opportunity to visit our Ist team game for an hour before going to football. It was cold but getting brighter and it was good for me to see the new season start.

Now the pavilion on the left, the older looking green building, parts of this have been there since 1907. For some years we have been trying to raise money to replace it as it is no longer fit for purpose which is a shame given its long history. We want to rebuild the pavilion so it matches the clubhouse on the right which was not erected until 1980s.

I have been at this club since 1977 and until two years ago was Chairman. I decided to stand down after 14 years and was asked to be President in November last year. I was so pleased to accept the offer. My son J plays for the club and it has been an important part of my summer for many many years.

I started the fundraising process to raise sufficient funds to rebuild the pavilion and we received the news only yesterday that we have planning permission and there are promises of grants which should make it a reality this coming end of season. Lot of work to do to be ready to demolish and rebuild from mid September but we are the closest we have ever been.

When I retired as Chairman, my son gave a speech awarding me life membership. He is not an accomplished speaker but did a great job and I felt proud to accept the life membership from him. As a gift to the club I had commissioned a model of the pavilion which is quite large and was made for me by a friend in the village. It is now in the clubhouse and when the pavilion is finally demolished the model will be a permanent reminder of this great old building. I will blip the model later in the season.

I am afraid there will be quite a view pics during the summer whilst watching cricket.