‘An iconic part of the Nidderdale cricket scene’: Historic Studley Royal Cricket Club pavilion destroyed in devastating fire
A much-loved cricket pavilion at Studley Royal in Ripon has been destroyed in a devastating fire, leaving the local cricket community heartbroken.
The Deer Park pavilion, located within the historic Studley Royal grounds, was completely lost in a blaze on Sunday, August 30.
Studley Royal Cricket Club said the loss of the building would be deeply felt by generations of players who have called the ground their cricketing home.
In a statement, the club said: “It is with great sadness that we are sharing the news that our beloved Deer Park pavilion in the Studley Royal grounds has been entirely lost to fire on Sunday afternoon.”
The exact age of the pavilion is not officially known, although the club believes it dates back to the post-war period when it was used as a place for estate workers to play cricket.
Over the years, the building became an important part of local cricket history and was the birthplace of Studley Royal Cricket Club.
The club added: “It was where the Studley Royal Cricket Club started and had become an iconic part of the Nidderdale cricket scene.”
The pavilion’s destruction has prompted an appeal for information, with the club saying the fire is believed to have been started deliberately.
“While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, it is almost certain that the fire was no accident and was started intentionally,” the statement said.
The police and the cricket club are now appealing to anyone who may have seen anything suspicious near the Deer Park ground on Sunday, August 30, between 4.30pm and 5.30pm.
Members of the public are being urged to come forward with any information, however small it may seem, including details of any vehicles or activity seen in the area.
The club said: “We need as much information as possible, even if it is the smallest thing.
“Please get in touch with the police or the club.
"It could help us to find who did this and establish what happened on Sunday afternoon to our much loved pavilion.”
The loss of the pavilion leaves the club facing a major challenge as it looks towards the future.
Studley Royal Cricket Club said it would now need the support of the local community to help fund a replacement for the venue and restore a home for future generations of players.
The club said: “No doubt we have lots of work ahead of us to find a way to fund a replacement for this iconic venue.
"We will need all of our community to support us in doing so.”
The club is encouraging anyone with information about the fire to contact North Yorkshire Police or Studley Royal Cricket Club.