New Pavilion for Shepherd's Bush C.C.

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First new cricket ground in London since World War 2

Shepherd's Bush Cricket Club, which has played on its East Acton Lane site for over 120 years, is celebrating the development of its new pavilion. Construction on the pavilion has begun and marks the completion of the first development of a new cricket ground in a London borough since before World War II.

The new pavilion is set to be completed in time for the 2006 cricket season, which starts mid-April. It will be the final development in providing the club with a new home after it was required to relocate in 2003 and faced potential disbandment. However, the site has been ear-marked for use as a construction depot for the West London Tram project so it is possible that the club's joy may be short-lived.

Ealing Council provided one third of the funds required for the project. Shepherd's Bush Cricket Club raised £50,000 towards the cost. Additional funding was provided from Sport England and the England and Wales Cricket Board Community Club Development Fund, London Marathon Charitable Trust, John Lyon's Charity and The Foundation for Sport and the Arts. Virgin Active Ltd, the leaseholders of the current site offered to re-house the club on a new cricket field and provided the funding for the high-quality cricket square.

Following completion of the project SBCC plans to become a sports affiliation providing a base for both women’s and junior cricket as well as enabling other community and sports organisations to use the facilities, including judo, netball, table tennis, yoga and aerobics. The club is already fielding two mini-soccer teams in a Sunday youth league.

David Perrin, president of Shepherds Bush Cricket Club, said: “Thanks to the tremendous support we have received, SBCC is able to keep the club on the East Acton Lane open space where the club has played since 1882.”

Cllr Jasbir Anand, cabinet member for leisure, sport and culture, said: “The Shepherd's Bush Cricket Club has had a great history in our borough and has many innovative plans for the future. This new pavilion will ensure the club is able to expand the sport and leisure activities it can offer as well as providing a great facility for the local community.”

Shepherd's Bush Cricket Club was founded in 1882 and has played on a ground at East Acton Lane for 120 years. The club fields three teams at Division One level of the Middlesex County Cricket League, of which it is a founding member, and a fourth eleven in the Middlesex 1987 League.The 1st XI also competes in the National, Evening Standard and Middlesex IBEX Cup competitions.

February 1, 2006