The old pavilion is the oldest full structure on our site, built by the Royal Army Corps of Engineers on the foundation of the original Clubhouse, which remained after it was dynamited by the retreating occupying forces in 1944. It was moved to its current location in 1956, as the old Clubhouse was rebuilt. It now serves 2 functions:
* 50% as a cricket pavilion
* 50% as a storage space for our ground care machinery.
In 2016, it was in a parlous state, as the Club didn't have the funds to repair it or maintain it.
With support from (then President) David Colson and the management team, the cricketers took on the task and set about raising the necessary funds from seasonal dues, “tea” payments, and volunteer coaching, amounting to around €7K in increased revenue per year. 9 years later, the last major part of the exterior renovation was completed this week at a cumulative cost of ~€50K, plus thousands of hours of volunteer time. Many people have contributed. However, the Club and Section would particularly like to record their immense gratitude to Andrew Jackson, carpenter extraordinaire, without whom this would have been impossible.
Click to see a photo of the destroyed final “wall” revealed after removing the shipping container in January 2025,
and click here to see Andrew Jackson and Chris McCarthy getting stuck into the structural repair, 9/9/2025,
and click here to see the repainted new wall on 9/11/2025.
See the main article for much more information.
Four teams, made up of parents and children, took part in SAC's traditional Armistice Day football tournament on a perfect autumn morning on Tuesday, 11 November.
After a minute's silence following a short speech by Matthew Curtin, it was fellow sports-section head Laurent Brault who marshalled dads, daughters and sons into a mini-tournament of finely balanced teams, matching youth and experience.
Thanks to all who turned out for a memorable morning's sport.
(Click for full-sized picture)
As we all know, our Club is an Association 1901, which is run largely by volunteers. Much of this work is behind the scenes. Among the most important contributors, for many years, has been Paul Miller, who produces this Newsletter, the website, and all the Flash News posts that we all receive.
Paul, after some 20 years, is now looking to hang up his Newsletter-mailings-website boots and transition out of these roles. Firstly, we would like to express our thanks to Paul for all that he has done … and secondly, this is a call for volunteers to take on one or more of the roles which Paul has so diligently performed.
The Management Committee
