A HISTORIC Worcester landmark’s fall from grace has been captured by a local amateur photographer.
The pavilion at the Cinderella Sports Ground dates back to the 1800s and used to be home to the Worcestershire country cricket team and played host to the first Australian touring team in 1878.
However, Nik Bradley cataloged its decline in a series of photographs which he shared with the Observer.
During a visit which he described as ‘unnerving’ because of the state of the building, Nik revealed the haunting state of what was once a much loved landmark.
“I managed to come out alive and a little more knowledgeable, gave myself a pat on the back and made my way back to civilisation, leaving this rotting beauty to sulk in the corner of the field once again,” he said.
Members of Worcester City Council’s cabinet were due to discuss plans to revamp the historic site into a centre for cricket and football at a meeting on Tuesday (March 21).
Currently owned by the developer Arndale, the Bransford Road site is rented to the City Council on a 25-year lease
The project would see the council work with Heart of Worcestershire College to jointly refurbish the sports ground and sublet it to the college for a very small rent.
Funding from the council, the college, Sport England and from financial contributions made by developers under agreements attached to planning permission, will help revive the site.
And a mystery benefactor has also stepped in with vital funds to breathe a new lease of life into one of the city’s sporting landmarks.
A new cricket square, four football pitches and, subject to planning permission, a new multi-use pavilion with changing rooms would be created to provide educational and community engagement activities.
The ground’s ornate historic pavilion is currently still in place, but as Nik’s pictures show it has deteriorated to a point where it cannot be restored.
However, plans have been drawn up for it to be preserved by dismantling it and re-building it at the Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings.
Visit www.hiddenmap.co.uk to view more of Nik’s pictures.
