Work on Parker's Piece Cricket Pavilion

The Little Chester April newsletter has the following information on the refurbishment of the cricket pavilion near Handyside Bridge:

Work to refurbish the pavilion is progressing well and it is hoped to be completed by mid May. The interior has been cleared with features retained as far as possible, fire and water damage repaired, new interior partitioning erected and scaffolding going up this week to begin re-roofing works.

The exterior is to be repaired and repainted and disabled access improved.The access track base is in and will be finished with a reinforced grass surface on completion of the works.

At the beginning of the project the building was checked for the presence of bats by an ecologist and although none were found a couple of bat boxes have been installed in trees on the riverside. Archaeologists were on site to monitor excavation work and an old coin was unearthed during the excavations.

Little Chester Resident’s Association are also investigating whether they can get the Smiths clock on the front of the pavilion restored. The surrounding ground will be re-seeded and work is to continue this spring to renovate the cricket square and outfield. Cricket practice nets are also to be installed to complete the new look.