BRIDGETOWN Cricket Club who celebrated their centenary last season have been granted planning permission to extend their iconic thatched pavilion which has largely remained unchanged since it was first built in 1924.

The Bridgetown ground which sits nestled in the Exe Valley is a firm favourite and on numerous occasions has been voted as the most attractive not just in Somerset but the whole of England.

Peter Matravers, who has been involved with the project from the outset said: “Our president Doug Sherring, along with Miles Richards the chairman and myself began considering the pavilion project back in 2023.

“Whilst the game of cricket played back in 1924 remains largely unchanged, technology within the game and necessary personal equipment requirements has meant that 'the game' has fast outgrown our somewhat basic, though enchanting pavilion facilities.

“We put our initial vision into some rough manual sketches and in January 2024 we had a site meeting with the architect Simon Staddon of Acute Building Design, who drew up more formal plans. These were then presented to senior club officials and Guy Thomas-Everard the land owner, and were unanimously supported.

“Initial plans were presented for approval in the Spring of last year, and following approvals from Exton PC, Historic Buildings and Exmoor National Park, we finally received full approval of our plans last month.”

Peter went on: “The proposals are to sympathetically extend the old pavilion to the rear, to provide two new spacious changing rooms, with showers and a toilet! Although players can still wash in the river should they prefer! The pavilion as exists today, will become the new ‘Clubhouse’."

The springboard for this project was the centenary year in 2024 with the aim of ensuring the club would be around for the next 100 years and a big legacy project like this was perfect and timely!

The highlight of 2024 was the Centenary Celebratory Dinner that was held at the Cooper Associates County Ground and attended by 150 guests. Entertained by guest speaker Vic Marks, the event kick started the year by raising over £5k.

Peter continued: “We have also had a soft start on crowdfunding, raising another £2k or so last year. Now we have planning permission granted, we will be searching in earnest for any grant funding, donations, help from businesses, along with materials and where possible, our own volunteer labour force.

“The attachment shows the pavilion extension and we plan on getting spades in the ground at the conclusion of the 2025 season, in the hope that the new facility will be fully functional for the start of the 102nd season in 2026.”

Anyone who would like to support the crowd funding project can do so here

Alternatively anyone who would like to make contact should they wish to help out/donate/contribute etc should contact -[email protected] 07824 379188