Click on the picture to see photos of the pavilion project from laying the foundations to the football match with Peter Crouch in January 2011.
It was all hands on deck at Carperby’s new sports pavilion in the first week in January as members of the village’s football team and over 90 residents and friends worked together to make sure it was ready for the completion date (January 7) set by the confectionery company, Mars Ltd.
When William Hague MP took part in the foundation stone ceremony on October 22,2010, the local builders who had won the contract in a blind tender thought it would be several years before the community had raised sufficient funds to complete the project.
The village of 223 residents had raised £40,000 by holding various events and by obtaining grants since the project was launched in 2004. The pavilion team, which consisted of three members each from Carperby Playing Fields Association, Carperby Football Team and Carperby cum Thoresby parish council, thought it might take another five years to complete.
But then Mars Ltd and the FA became involved with the former offering a grant of £125,000 to cover the cost of completing the 11m by 21m pavilion as long as it was completed by January 8, 2011, so that the company’s advert could be filmed and edited to be shown on TV by February 2.
When the icy and snowy weather became a problem in late November Mars provided a 15m x 30m tent which completely covered the building site. This enabled the builders (Scott with Steve Harrison and Chris Peacock, along with Trevor Gilham, Jonathon Wood, Stuart Hunter, Tim Peacock and his father, Alan) to carry on working.
Even then they had problems with the cement freezing before they could use it. Scott said that on occasions the weather had been unbearable.
“The construction would have ground to a halt without the tent and we were indebted to Mars for all their help and support with the project,” said Nick Oliver, who was a member of the sports pavilion project team.
Once the building was complete the community – young and old – mucked in to clean and paint the interior. “The community has been brilliant – fantastic,” said Scott.
“Many in the village have been invited to take part in the filming, which has been great fun for all those connected with the project,” added Mr Oliver. A great community spirit had developed with the camera crew during that winter.
To be ready for the final filming session on Thursday, January 27 the villagers also wanted to make sure that children’s play area and the dugouts beside the football pitch were spick and span. This meant scrubbing, painting and treating woodwork in freezing conditions.
There was a tremendous sense of anticipation as residents, friends, local footballers and the camera crew awaited the arrival of England star footballer, Peter Crouch.
And no matter how cold it was, or how many takes the camera crew’s director requested, Peter was the perfect role model for the youngsters who were there. He was always cheerful and approachable – so willing to share with the community the joy of finally having a modern, well-equipped sports pavilion.