Left in limbo by council's actions (From Gazette Series)

Left in limbo by council's actions

SIR - I would like to clarify the situation between Berkeley Cricket Club and the town council with regards to the pavilion. I feel that many of our old players and supporters do not quite know what is going on and I wish to explain our deep feelings about how the club has been treated.

For the past 43 years the cricket club has rented the ground in the summer and the football club in the winter. Both clubs have always paid their rents promptly, without complaint, and accommodated anybody wishing to use the field or pavilion (fun days, carnivals, boot sales etc).

On the eve of our president's match last summer builders moved in and practically demolished the kitchen and filled the changing rooms with building material without any warning or discussion.

The council eventually informed us that the kitchen was condemned, and the pavilion being brought to health and safety standards. We were also informed that the pavilion was the property of the council. They told us that they could do what they liked with it and anything they did plan to carry out was not negotiable.

What an extraordinary way to treat a tenant of 43 years and a club which has played at Station Road for over 100 years!

The Gazette then printed a statement from the council which informed us of a planned letting agreement for 2004, replacing the rental agreement that had stood us in good stead for so long. No prior notice of this agreement was given to the club before going to press.

The council, in their draft, stated the field was an open area but the pavilion was council-owned property and could be hired at £25 a throw. What is going on? What good is a field without a pavilion or a pavilion without a field?! It appears that there are hidden motives here which do not include Berkeley CC.

These potential charges would mean a 40 percent cost increase for the club. Moreover, no provision was made for the storage of our kit or maintenance equipment as we were told that these items could no longer be kept in the pavilion. As a result the club's four mowers are now being stored in my own garage!

An emergency meeting of the club committee decided that we could not operate under these terms. We were left with no alternative but to vacate Station Road. The council were immediately informed of this decision.

Our president, who has a long association with the club, persuaded us to re-open negotiations with the council (which he is now personally conducting) in order to preserve the tradition of Berkeley CC at Station Road. This situation is ongoing and far from "resolved".

This period has completely disrupted the progress of the club. We cannot play league cricket as we could not commit ourselves at the deadline for registration. Also, no maintenance has been carried out on the square and no Sunday fixtures have been arranged. Furthermore, the annual presentation evening has been postponed as all thoughts and efforts have been directed towards our problems with the council.

The whole matter could have been avoided had the council carried on with an agreement which had lasted over 40 years. They could have informed us that, due to repairs, there would be a considerable rent increase. This would have been understood and complied with. However, the manner with which the case has been handled, along with the fact that our storage facilities have now been removed, means that the club has been dealt a distressing, and potentially terminal, blow.

On a personal note, I feel that village cricket in the summer and football in the winter enhances the area. The sports clubs have proved themselves worthy guardians and custodians of Berkeley's sporting heritage, I often wonder how the appearance of the field would change if the sports teams were to relocate.

Aly Phillips, Club captain, Berkeley Cricket Club, Hillcrest, Berkeley