A team returning to the North Herts Cricket League this summer are after a homecoming of another kind. Lilley Cricket Club have not played at their picturesque ground in the village since 1998 when the pavilion, largely wooden and built by club members ye

A team returning to the North Herts Cricket League this summer are after a homecoming of another kind.

Lilley Cricket Club have not played at their picturesque ground in the village since 1998 when the pavilion, largely wooden and built by club members years before, was burned to the ground in a fire.

The club was insured for the loss but the amount was not even close to what the pavilion required to be rebuilt.

It had been their home since 1976 when the cricket club was reformed by enthusiasts from the village, with the land leased from Herts County Council.

The club has used the ground of neighbours Offley and Stopsley in the intervening years.

After problems regarding sewerage with their proposed new building, it has been agreed to attempt to obtain planning permission for a pavilion at the bottom of the playing area of the ground.

A Lilley spokesman said: "Members have been working tirelessly both behind the scenes and on the ground to make the return of cricket to Lilley a reality.

"We are always looking for new ways to raise money or people who wish to give to help this cause.

"We believe that the mark of the strength of our club is that we have continued to go from strength to strength on and off the pitch for eight years without being able to use our home.

"We now want to return village cricket to this beautiful ground and encourage a new generation of people from in and around Lilley to play and enjoy cricket."

If you can help or want to know more about the club, email lilley1895@aol.com or call Lilley club secretary Stew Collinson on 07775 620771.

Updates on the pavilion replacement project can be seen at www.lilleycc.com