As a long standing member of Isca Hockey Club I was very surprised to see plans to destroy the cricket pavilion at the County Ground in Exeter and replace it with student flats at a time when student flats are being discounted all over Exeter.
In the eighties the cricket club was in dire financial straits and at the same time Isca Hockey Club was looking for a new pitch and club house leading to the formation of the Exeter Cricket and Isca Club. The ground and clubhouse was in a perilous state due to lack of maintenance and I was part of a team that raised funds, re-roofed the clubhouse and improved the ground's drainage. Our work resulted in an outfield of superior quality, bringing county cricket back to the ground and before the advent of astro turf Devon county hockey team, as well as Isca, used it as their home ground playing in front of crowds of over 300 people.
While all this was going on we were mindful that the lease was running out and not owning our own ground meant we did not qualify for charity status or many of the grants that were available for sports clubs. Ideas put forward as a solution were rubbished and many former active members drifted away using their spare energies elsewhere with the result that in 12 months' time the cricket club could be looking for a new pitch and the hockey club a new clubhouse.
Many years ago there was an organisation called "The Friends of the County Ground" and I suggest that this is reinvigorated and interested parties come forward with a solution that benefits the leaseholders who have been very patient over the years and also those sportsmen who wish to see it remain as a sporting venue.
The alternative is to sell the land for building and with the help of the owners develop a custom-built sports ground with modern facilities that will satisfy the needs of local sportsmen and women for the foreseeable future.
It would be a sad day to see the end of the County Ground but in the long run the latter option could secure a permanent base for both the cricket and hockey clubs.