Knebworth Park CC need your help!

It isn't that often that we post a serious article that isn't filled with witty humour and ingenius jokes, but when it involves losing one of Hertfordshire’s top clubs, we change our tune slightly.

The future of cricket for hundreds of children and for generations of youngsters to come is at stake as Knebworth Park Cricket Club as a planning application for a new ground has been submitted. Without a new ground the club would have to fold, leaving Knebworth without a local club.

The club, which has played in the grounds of the historic Knebworth House for over 140 years, has been told it must move from its current location in front of the imposing Gothic-fronted stately home to a new site within the estate off Park Lane.

Knebworth Park's current iconic ground

The plans for the new ground will allow the club to offer three pitches instead of two and modernise its clubhouse facilities in a purpose-built pavilion.

Most importantly, it will allow KPCC to continue to provide an invaluable cricket outlet for its 200 or so junior members, who are the heartbeat of the club and have been for many years.

At the North Herts District Council planning website, you will need to:

• Register 
• Respond to an email to confirm your registration
• Search Knebworth Park Cricket Club
• Tick the change of location project
• Enter your details 
• Make a comment 
• Tick the Support box

The planning link is pa.north-herts.gov.uk/online-applications/

One angle of the proposed new pavillion

We urge you to put yourself in this position, where your local club may not exist due to powers out of their control. Please take the 10 minutes out of your day to register and post your support to the club’s application urging the council not to kill off a local club that has rich history in the county, with both of us at The Middle Stump recording some decent performances against them as well as being on the end of some hidings!