Cricket club to build new pavilion after fire

Heathcoat Cricket Club's former captain Peter Randerson said it has been using tents and teepees to facilitate players and staff

A cricket club is building a new pavilion after its previous one was destroyed in a fire.

Heathcoat Cricket Club's picturesque wooden pavilion, in the grounds of the National Trust's Knightshayes Court, was completely destroyed in August last year.

The blaze left the club with temporary facilities for this year's season, using tents and teepees to facilitate players and staff.

Former club captain Peter Randerson said the new building was hoped to be ready by May next year at the latest.

He said: "In reality, will it be beautifully finished by then? Possibly not, but I think we can have changing rooms and a facility that we can make the most of initially and get it finished as the season progresses."

The clubhouse was built in 2013 using timber from trees on the National Trust site that had blown down in a storm the previous year.

Reflecting on the current set up, one player said it was "nothing like I've ever done before – it's almost pretty medieval". Another said he felt like they had "made the best of a bad situation".

One player is looking forward to having showers again. He said: "It's certainly been a change and definitely gets quite cool and a bit sticky after a games when you haven't had a shower.

"We're very much looking forward to those, but it's been fine so far."