View From the Boundary

On any walk through Clarence Park, from York Road towards the ornamental park, our eyes might be focused on an ongoing cricket match, in which case our interest is concentrated on the middle ground.  When the outfield and crease is quiet it is the pavilion which dominates.

A view of the pavilion when new – you won't find the clock in this
picture!  Courtesy St Albans Museums.

We have known this view since our first visit; whether it was five or fifty years ago the pavilion seems not to have changed.  Its sturdy red, decorated brickwork, especially visible from the rear elevation, gives the impression it would stand for ever.  The woodwork sometimes gives us our first impression that all is not well with the structure.

The pavilion is, of course, a District Council property leased jointly to St Albans Cricket Club and St Albans Hockey Club; at least that was the arrangement until recent years, when the Hockey Club migrated to facilities elsewhere.  Which left the cricket club to shoulder the financial burden on its own.

In a recent message via the Protect Clarence Park group, St Albans Cricket Club representative Paul Sands stated, "For many years the bar and social areas in our beautiful and historic pavilion at Clarence Park have been unloved and uncared for and we recognise that it is currently not a particularly attractive place to spend any amount of time. We understand that the bar really ought to be an important revenue driver for our club and should provide a comfortable and welcoming environment for teams and members to spend time together. We know , that with some thought, time and resources we can make the bar and the long room  somewhere we can be proud of. "

The club has a long-term vision of operating the pavilion as a social enterprise, to ensure the facilities within the pavilion are used effectively and appropriately, with the aim of running the building sustainably.

Meanwhile, rather more urgent work is required, which, when broken down into manageable chunks, is an ideal opportunity for volunteers.  Replacing the flooring, furniture, worn out fixtures and lighting, and providing a fresh coat or two of paint.

Paul Sands continued, "We want to create a friendly and inviting space that members, their friends and their families will want to spend time in and that third parties might want to hire for events, thus bringing in much needed income for the club. The bar is also used by the families of our junior members particularly during Friday evening training sessions throughout the summer at Clarence Park. We would like it to be a nicer environment for them too."

The club is therefore sending the call out for volunteers experienced as builders, electricians, plumbers and other skilled tradesmen.  And then volunteers who are not necessarily skilled but can undertake tasks with a smile, and generally assist.  It sounds very much as if destruction is one key element, given that the word sledge-hammer is one tool mentioned (and how many different uses for a screwdriver can you think of?), as well as more calming tasks with a paint brush.

The third requirement is money, naturally.  The club is busy devising methods of raising funds to undertake the purchase of materials.  Meanwhile, it has opened a Just Giving web page,  www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/stalbanscc

To offer your service in this project (and your smile) contact Paul Sands on 07540 705966 or paul.sands2@gmail.com

Inside Clarence Park, which we all consider "ours" with pride, will soon be a volunteer group creating a new community facility in that friendly structure which gives an impressive View From the Boundary.