New pavilion to be built at Dummer Cricket Club ground

Since it was re-established in 2007, the club has been using a marquee and hiring portable toilets for every home game.

Now, players and those involved with the team are looking forward to the erection of a new pavilion, which they hope will be completed by the end of the summer season.

A post on Facebook from the club said: "It is all systems go for the erection of our pavilion at the Dummer Cricket Club. From the plans, it makes a very attractive addition to the ground, it even has a clock! which are lovely facilities for players and visitors alike.

READ MORE: MP warns questions over funding could jeopardise new hospital plans

"Excitement is rife and we send thanks to Sir Crispin Davis- our landlord and supporter; his group and the club committee, for persevering with this project. It will greatly enhance the facilities of the club and hopefully attract more players."

It continued: "The Dummer Cricket Club was re-established in 2007 and we have been using our marquee as a pavilion since that time. Barry Dodd - our president and groundsman and his wife Kathy, will be pleased that they can make tea and quarter time drinks without fetching water in a large container!

"I look forward to sitting under the shelter of the new pavilion; the build of which will start in the summer and hopefully be completed before the end of the summer season."

Captain of the club Steve Heath told the Gazette that he grew up in Dummer and has lived there his whole life, always having an interest in cricket.

He said: "On June 1, 2008, the team led by Andrew Ferguson played Long Sutton. From the 2008 team only myself and wicket keeper Mark Barden are still playing regularly. I became captain in 2010.

"For the next 10 years we were a nomad team hiring pitches to play our home games.
In 2015 Sir Crispin Davis met the committee to kindly allow the club to return to the pitch that had not been played on since 1945 for a peppercorn rent."

SEE ALSO: Bewley teams up with Overton school to sponsor rugby kit

Over the next three years some hard work was put in to restore the ground to its former glory thanks to groundsman Barry Dodd, players and committee members.

In May 2018 the team played its first game on the new ground against a Sir Crispin Xl. The game is now played annually and is now known as the Davis Cup.

A marquee has been the temporary pavilion and a portable toilets is hired for home games.

Over the subsequent years Sir Crispin has seen how the club has progressed with covers, site screens and bowling net being acquired with fundraising events being supported by the community.

Steve added: "Now thanks to his generosity the ground will really feel our own. We do not play league cricket but play traditional village Sunday cricket. Hopefully this will encourage more local players into our squad and make the team prosper in an era when some village cricket clubs are folding or merging.

"We look forward to having a cricket teas in our new pavilion and hosting clubs old and new. We cannot thank Sir Crispin enough for his generosity and support in an exciting time for the club."