A 19th-century Ipswich cricket pavilion that once hosted the England team will soon be back to its former glory thanks to a school’s community.
Ipswich High School has set a target to raise £25,000 to renovate the 128-year-old Woolverstone Hall Cricket Pavilion located on the school grounds.
The pavilion was originally built in 1894 by cricket enthusiast Charles Berners, with a number of pictures released to show the site's incredible history.
It boasts unique features, including branched arcading and bark cladding, all crafted using materials sourced from the surrounding estate.
Over the years, the pavilion has witnessed memorable moments, with Woolverstone Park Cricket Club, Suffolk’s County team, and even the England cricket team gracing its pitch.
Once Woolverstone Hall became a school, the pavilion was still in use for sporting fixtures.
It has long held a special place in the hearts of Old Woolverstonians, who fondly remember cricket matches from the 1950s, complete with tea served from the pavilion.
The pavilion has not been used for sporting fixtures since the mid-nineties due to the internal condition of the building.
With the growing number of pupils, Ipswich High School decided it was the right time to restore the pavilion to add to the wonderful sporting fixtures held at the school.
The goal now is to restore the interior and exterior woodwork, recapturing the pavilion's original charm.
Additionally, essential services such as water, electricity, and drainage will be installed, enabling the building to host school events, local sports teams, and community gatherings.
Dan Browning, head at Ipswich High School, said: "We are blessed with the stunning and historic surroundings of Woolverstone Hall, but our cricket pavilion that has been standing for 128 years has been the focus of our fundraising this year.
"Our aim is to create a permanent café space for pupils, parents, ex-pupils, and the community to use.
"This is part of a whole range of events being planned to mark the 150th anniversary of Ipswich High School in 2028."
To support this historic restoration project and be part of preserving a cherished piece of local history, please visit the fundraising page.
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