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From ashes to “The Ashes” cricketing colts rejuvenate ashen club
By Nicholas Giles & Vikki Rimmer

Hornsey Cricket Club a phoenix from the flames sparks a colt’s resurgence and a bright new future.

Click on the link below to see pictures of The Hornsey Cricket Club before and after the fire:

It’s almost three years to the day when Hornsey Cricket Club club chairman Chris Waite was woken from his sleep to witness an inferno – his beloved cricket club was on fire. The club house was completely destroyed during the month of August 2004 due to suspected arson and repeated arson attempts during the winter months.

Undaunted by the potential end to the club, formed back in 1870, Chris Waite became instrumental in the rebuild of the clubs infrastructure. Speaking at the time, Chris said “We are hopeful that very soon we will have temporary facilities. We are coming to the end of the season and hopefully a new pavilion will rise from the ashes."

                              Against The Odds

Little could Chris imagine the hardship to follow.  With no changing rooms, bar and function room to financially support the club, how could the clubhouse be rebuilt without financial support from the now charred facilities? The answer – dedication of the members. Ably supported by willing club men and women the rebuild started, and today a new club house stands with all the facilities. The new club house was officially opened on 25th June 2006 and called the Arthur Cornick Pavilion in recognition of Arthur’s 52 years continued service as club honorary secretary.

                                  Shining Future

Since the rebuilding of the clubs facilities, the dedication of the clubs senior cricketers and a boost in interest in cricket since the Ashes, Hornsey Cricket Club colts sections have been invigorated; winter indoor coaching and matches, summer coaching and leagues. The pinnacle being the clubs Friday evenings coaching, which has been a phenomenal success with an average attendance of 110 children aged 6 to 16 each week.

Current chairman, Jim Chapman and club captain Johnny Bruce set to work improving the colts section, which Jim first established as a player. Today Jim says “I can hardly believe it after all that has happened.  With the help of a volunteering mum Lakshmi Hewavisenti, qualified coaches and senior players within the club, we now have a very promising colts section. 

On the back of the rebuild and their large colt following, the Hornsey club has become involved in the national  ‘Chance to Shine’ program which aims to focus on the education and well-being of young people via the sport of cricket. Chance to Shine is aiming to restore the traditional summer game to more than a third of state schools within ten years.

                                        On fire

The rewards have already come to fruition for Jack Bruce, the Club Captains 8 year old son.  “Jack recently got 5 wickets for 3 runs off 4 overs. The oppo needing 1 to win with 8 wickets left. They lost 7 wickets with the scores level Jack got 5 of those wickets.  Unfortunately the oppo scrambled a bye off the last ball to win. It was a fantastic achievement for him and as a parent a rewarding one for me” said Johnny.

The rebuilt clubhouse

For the teenage colts coming through, 1st team skipper Ian Gregory has kept a keen eye on their progress drafting them into senior team matches ensuring every opportunity to progress.

As for the 110 parents, Friday cricket coaching has become a social event, a relaxing end to the week on the club house balcony overlooking Alexandra Palace surveying the proceedings in front of them. Many wondering if their child will be the next Freddy Flintoff, Kevin Pietersen or on a balcony as captain of England holding the Ashes urn.