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02
Sept
Police and fire service give updates on Studley cricket pavilion fire
Early investigations into a fire that destroyed a cricket pavilion in Studley deer park have not established arson as the cause.
The pavilion, which featured in an episode of Channel 5’s All Creatures Great and Small, burned down on Sunday (August 30).
Studley Royal Cricket Club, which owned the pavilion on land rented off the National Trust, said in a statement it believed arsonists were to blame.
The club said: “It is almost certain that the fire was no accident and was started intentionally.”
The Stray Ferret has asked North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and North Yorkshire Police for an update, and whether they thought arson was to blame.
A fire service spokesperson said a fire investigator visited on Monday “and found the cause of the fire to be undetermined”.
The spokesperson added:
If they don’t find the evidence during the fire investigation that it’s caused by an accident or deliberate they cannot say that. This is what has happened which is why it is ‘undetermined’. It will now be down to police if there’s an investigation.
The pavilion during shooting for All Creatures Great and Small.
Asked whether it had launched an investigation, a North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “At this time, we are making enquiries into the incident.” No other information was provided.
Firefighters from Ripon, Boroughbridge and Harrogate used breathing apparatus to bring the blaze under control.
Sir Thomas Ingilby, chairman of Theakston Nidderdale and District Amateur Cricket League, told the Stray Ferret a car was seen outside the building 30 minutes earlier and appealed to anyone who saw the vehicle or people in it to come forward,
The deer park pitch
'Iconic' building
The loss of the building, described as ‘iconic’ by Studley Royal Cricket Club, has been keenly felt by local cricketers.
Its old-fashioned look and idyllic setting in the deer park of a UNESCO World Heritage Site made it suitable for All Creatures Great and Small.
The cricket pitch was initially used by Studley estate workers.
When the workers formed Studley Royal Cricket Club, it became the club’s main ground until the 1990s, when it moved to Galphay Road.
However, the club’s third, fourth and junior teams continued to play in the deer park and use the pavilion.
Studley Royal has a strong cricketing pedigree. Current Yorkshire players, opening batsman Finlay Bean and opening bowler Ben Coad, both played for the club. Ben's father Ken is the club president.
A National Trust spokesperson said:
“Any decisions regarding the future of the pavilion, including rebuilding and associated costs, would be a matter for Studley Royal Cricket Club.”
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