Four years, but it’s finally here, and a few of us went to the opening
On Sunday June 14th June 2026, St Chad’s Broomfield CC cricket pavilion officially opened its doors. With one hundred and fifty guests from the local community were present to celebrate the opening of this beautiful, purpose built building community hub.
The weather was kind, the lemonade and sandwiches were in abundance and the overall sound was of children playing.
An extensive coffee bar and seating area, the pavilion is fully equipped with two sets of dressing rooms and showers (home and away teams), one umpire’s dressing room, and all the added facilities of a wonderful community facility. A cricket pitch width away from the stunning St Chads church and a mere 50 yards away from the Otley Road, the scene felt more like a scene All Creatures Great And Small. The atmosphere of the place is truly transformed. It is 4 years since the application for a grant was successful, and today was a lovely reminder of why we as Freemasons buy our lottery tickets and give generously for good causes such as this.
Total cost of the whole Pavilion, with new dressing rooms for male and female players, and a Community Cafe, was in the region of £200.000 -250,000, with West Riding Masonic Charities Ltd contributing £20,000 via a Major Grant.
The guiding light in achieving the funding was Paul Berry, of St Chad’s Broomfield CC, pictured along with Raymond Diamond, Preceptor at the time of the application, and Michael Rose, Charity Steward at the time, of the Lodge of Dawn 6511, who facilitated the application.
Paul was eager to tell us that they already have two girls teams and was plenty of interest for a third.
We thank Paul for a warm and friendly invitation and for the time he took in showing us how all the money has been spent on such a fine and worthy project.
They might not be the most prolific batsmen in the local leagues but W Bro Michael Rose and W Bro Raymond Diamond did secure a £20,000 Grant from WRMC towards the cost of building a new Pavilion at St Chads CC, Far Headingley.
We thank Paul for a warm and friendly invitation and for his time in showing us how all the money has been spent on such a fine and worthy project.
Paul Berry with a few of those who help staff the pavilion, of which many are active volunteers.
The only cricket being played was the children in the nets. Plastic bat, ball and stumps, no pads needed! Maybe the next number one Yorkshire batsman will be here at St Chad’s Broomfield CC today.
‘Supported by The Freemasons’ plaque in pride of place in the coffee bar.
Discussing the next Lodge of Dawn funding application perhaps?
So, why did it take so long? Planning permission, scheme change, covid to name but three. But it’s well worth the wait.
So there it is. Despite the time it has taken to get here it really is a stunning building, here in the heart of Yorkshire cricket, a facility for so many to enjoy for many years to come. It should allow us all to reflect that as Freemasons we always give something back to our communities and perhaps one day see some of those same young faces maybe even join a Yorkshire Lodge.
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