New facilities at Barnard Castle CC make club a home fit for champions

TO cap a superb playing season, Barnard Castle Cricket Club’s new pavilion was unveiled on Saturday.
The building, under construction since March, has been funded by a combination of grants, donations and various money-raising events.
There was a sense of high anticipation as the doors were opened for the time shortly before 3pm on Saturday.
Members of the club committee had still been applying finishing touches that morning. More than 150 people, including sponsors, supporters and former players filled the room which is the third element in the club’s rebuilding strategy.
Changing rooms, opened in 2009, were followed by a new bar three years later.
The latest addition is by far the most ambitious and the club hope it will become a significant venue for functions in Barney and the dale.
Their intention is for the club to be there for use by the whole community.
Guests were treated to photo montage assembled by the club secretary Steve Steen which showed the removal of the old wooden structure, in place for 50 years, and the gradual construction of its replacement during the past seven months.
They were welcomed by the club president Stephen Brenkley, who paid tribute to the those who had run the club in the past.
He also thanked all those who had been instrumental in bringing the project to successful fruition.
“It is our club in the very real sense that it belongs to us all,” he said, reminding the audience that the club was established in 1832 and moved to the present ground in 1863.
“You are today in the home of the champions in a home fit for champions.”
Barney won the North Yorkshire and South Durham Premier League title for the first time last season and also the main knockout trophy, the Kerridge Cup.
There was silverware too for the second team, the under 17s and the under 15s. All the trophies were on display.
The club will be formally presented with their trophies at the league’s presentation evening on November 18, at Marton Country Club.
The new function room is now available for bookings and the steward Gavin Allinson can be contacted on 01833 690367.