A new cricket pavilion has been officially opened by Birstwith Cricket Club following a five-year fundraising campaign.
The new pavilion, which includes a kitchen and eating area, showers and toilets , has replaced a wooden structure that has served the club well in excess of 100 years but it had long been the players’ ambition to replace it with a modern structure.
Money for the project has come from Birstwith Cricket Club players’ fundraising activities.
They also received small grants from Knabbs Ridge Windfarm and North Yorkshire County Council which together with their own fundraising was enough to build a shell. But once news got around the dale and the pavilion started to take shape the club started to receive donations from individual sponsors.
John Shuffe, Chairman of the Birstwith Cricket Club, says the biggest boost came from local businesses. He added:
A number of local firms donated the building supplies, timber and stone which, together with hands-on support from club members, friends and families, helped us to complete the pavilion quicker than we had anticipated. We are extremely grateful for all the support and help we have been given. This is a great new facility for the cricket club members and visiting teams.
The pavilion was officially opened on Sunday, 19 August by the club’s landlords, David and Vicky Gaunt.
As well as a buffet and drinks reception for sponsors, the opening event included the club’s annual six a side cricket tournament which was won by Yeadon CC after a bowl off due to the sudden downpour at 4.00pm!
Photo submitted – Birstwith Cricket Club Pavilion opening.jpg.
Photo taken by – Brian Thompson
Caption –Birstwith Cricket Pavilion is officially opened by the club’s landlords David and Vicky Gaunt watched by Club Members, families and friends.
