Memorial Details
Memorial
Cricket Ground 1939-45
Reference
A17.03
Place
ASHINGTON
Map ref
NZ 271876
Original Location
Ashington Cricket Club, Langwell Crescent.
Which war
1939-1945
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
April 1961
Memorial Description
Cricket field with pavilion.
A tree for each man killed was planted around the perimeter of the field.
At the rear of the pavilion, there is a red brick wall hiding some steps. A plaque, approx. 1 foot high x 1 foot 6 inches wide, has been inserted into the wall, with a pointed stone lintel and stone sill. The lettering is in raised Roman capitals. At the bottom, in much small writing, are two further lines incised, telling the source of the funding.
A tree for each man killed was planted around the perimeter of the field.
At the rear of the pavilion, there is a red brick wall hiding some steps. A plaque, approx. 1 foot high x 1 foot 6 inches wide, has been inserted into the wall, with a pointed stone lintel and stone sill. The lettering is in raised Roman capitals. At the bottom, in much small writing, are two further lines incised, telling the source of the funding.
Materials used
Brick pavilion. Bronze plaque.
Inscription
Cricket Ground.
To the immortal memory of
the men and women of Ashington
who gave their lives for their country
in the Second World War 1939-1945
this ground is dedicated.
Presented by William Henry Arthur
Seventh Duke of Portland, K.G.
Names
None
How money was raised
7th Duke of Portland
Present condition
Good, much used and well kept premises.
Ownership and maintenance
Wansbeck District Council.
Notes
1. When the Ashington War Memorial Hospital Ward was demolished, the bronze plates bearing the names were mounted in the Cricket Pavilion in a wood frame. When the new memorial was erected behind the Library, the plates were transferred onto it. A very dark photograph showing the plaques in position on the Cricket Pavilion has been received. It was hoped that a blow-up of this would provide a clearer picture, but it does not.
2. Following World War Two, there was a proposal to erect a large Public Hall and Library, the Library part of which was to be the Town's 1939-45 Memorial. It was to be situated at the junction of North Seaton Road and Green Lane. The design was to be open to competition, the prize proposed was £200. The names from 1899-1902 and 1914-18 were to be added to this new memorial.
3. In 1961 "Ashington Council last night kept a promise and handed over to the town cricket club a modern pavilion which completed a war memorial scheme. The £6,000 building was dedicated by the Rev. Gerald Parrott, curate-in-charge at Ashington Parish Church and opened by Councillor J. Freathy, chairman of the council."
2. Following World War Two, there was a proposal to erect a large Public Hall and Library, the Library part of which was to be the Town's 1939-45 Memorial. It was to be situated at the junction of North Seaton Road and Green Lane. The design was to be open to competition, the prize proposed was £200. The names from 1899-1902 and 1914-18 were to be added to this new memorial.
3. In 1961 "Ashington Council last night kept a promise and handed over to the town cricket club a modern pavilion which completed a war memorial scheme. The £6,000 building was dedicated by the Rev. Gerald Parrott, curate-in-charge at Ashington Parish Church and opened by Councillor J. Freathy, chairman of the council."
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photos: J. Brown; P. Thirkell; Robert Preston
Morpeth Herald 16/02/1945 reports proposal for Library
Newcastle Journal 22/04/1961 reports opening of pavilion in Note 3 above. (Available on The British Newspaper Archive)
Morpeth Herald 16/02/1945 reports proposal for Library
Newcastle Journal 22/04/1961 reports opening of pavilion in Note 3 above. (Available on The British Newspaper Archive)
External web link
Research acknowledgements
Janet Brown; Wansbeck District Council; D.J. Wise; Sally Bird; the late Barbara Harbottle; Dorothy Hall
Research In Progress
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Cricket Ground 1939-45 (A17.03)
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Parish Notes
Every Name A Story
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