Save Our Pavilion
Preserving Heritage. Building for the Future.Standing at the heart of Chislehurst Common since 1899, the pavilion has welcomed generations of players, volunteers, families and visitors. It is the social and sporting heart of our Club and forms part of a cricketing story that stretches back to 1738.
Set on a ground protected by a unique Act of Parliament, the pavilion has witnessed visits from W. G. Grace and many of the game’s greats. Today, it is recognised as a building of significance: the only known surviving and substantially unaltered Anglo-Indian cricket pavilion of its kind.
Yet despite its remarkable history, the pavilion is in urgent need of investment. Time and weather have taken their toll, and without significant restoration this unique building, together with the stories it contains, is at risk.
The project is about more than repairing a historic pavilion. It is about preserving a unique part of cricket’s heritage, safeguarding an important archive of photographs, records and memorabilia, and sharing these stories with future generations.
Through restoration, interpretation and wider community access, we aim to reveal and celebrate the many layers of history associated with Chislehurst Common, from the little-known Anglo-Indian origins of the pavilion’s design to the ground’s nineteenth-century connections with Lord’s, the MCC, notable cricketers and other figures who have shaped the history of the Common, while creating a welcoming and sustainable home for cricket and community life for years to come.
A Project Worth Backing
Built in 1899 to the designs of architect Philip Appleby Robson, the pavilion is a substantially unaltered example of the Anglo-Indian bungalow style, a rare building type recognised by Historic England and believed to be unique among surviving cricket pavilions.
This is a heritage project of genuine significance, but it is also a community project.
Our aim is to preserve the historic character of the pavilion while ensuring it can continue to serve future generations of cricketers, volunteers and the wider community.
Our Vision
- Protect and restore the historic character of the 1899 pavilion
- Improve accessibility, safety and sustainability
- Create a welcoming hub for the wider community
- Share our unique cricketing heritage and history
- Open the pavilion for wider community use throughout the year
- Support inclusive cricket, including girls’ and disability cricket
The Pavilion Today
Explore the current condition of the pavilion and the challenges we face in securing its future.
Our Vision for the Future
Discover how we plan to restore the pavilion while creating a welcoming and sustainable home for cricket and community life.
Want to Help?
Whether through volunteering, attending events, donating or becoming a sponsor, there are many ways to support the project.
Jonathon has lived in Chislehurst for most of his life and has worked in estate agency since the age of 20, beginning his career with his father, Alan de Maid. In 1996, he founded jdm Estate Agents in Chislehurst High Street, growing the business into a network of nine offices specialising in residential sales and lettings across Southeast London and Kent. In 2024, Jonathon became President of Chislehurst & West Kent Cricket Club, where he is leading the campaign to rebuild the club’s historic pavilion as a lasting community asset. He is also actively involved in a number of local community initiatives and remains passionate about supporting the village he has proudly called home for most of his life.
Paul is Owner and CEO of Evans Turner (Finishes) Ltd, a specialist engineering and manufacturing business delivering bespoke metal fabrication and architectural finishes. A graduate engineer with an MBA from Imperial College, he has spent more than 30 years helping to grow and develop the company and is also an inventor, holding patents for specialist architectural products. Paul’s connection with Chislehurst & West Kent Cricket Club spans generations. He first played for the Club at the age of 10, following in the footsteps of his father, a former player and Chairman. A committee member for more than 35 years and Junior Secretary for the past 12 years, he has helped rebuild and grow the Club’s thriving junior section. Today, both of his sons also play for the Club.
Piers has been Chairman of Chislehurst & West Kent Cricket Club since 2021 and has been a playing member since joining in 2003 at the age of 10. A lifelong cricket enthusiast, he also plays football and golf to a relatively high standard and has sung at competition level. As a teenager, he represented the club across multiple age groups and teams, playing up to five times a week. At just 16, he became U11 Manager and Sunday XI Captain, later taking on numerous leadership roles, including 1st XI and 2nd XI Captain. Born and raised in Chislehurst, Piers has built a successful hospitality career and now runs the Anglesey Arms in Bromley. His dedication has helped shape and promote the club which has been, and will continue to be, a highly treasured and vital part of his life.
Rachel is the Secretary of the Club and has lived in Chislehurst for over ten years, and locally for 30; her husband is a vice-President of CWKCC. Until recently, Rachel was the Board Secretary of the Competitions and Markets Authority, supporting the members of the Board and the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC) around their meetings, including supplying papers, taking minutes and also proactively following up any actions for ARAC. Rachel led the team who supported the CMA’s committees, ensuring these were run efficiently with a high level of customer service. She is now semi-retired and enjoys providing secretariat and governance support to the Club Committees.
Dr Joanne Hopley is a highly experienced patent attorney with a PhD in Physics. She began her career in intellectual property at the Ministry of Defence before joining a small firm in London which has now grown into one of the most highly regarded IP firms in Europe. She has been an equity partner at that firm for almost 25 years, including several years as co-managing partner. She now serves as Finance Partner, overseeing financial operations across multiple offices in the UK and Europe. Her professional skills have translated to support extensive fundraising initiatives, raising over £20k in projects for schools associated with her two children, as well as various cricket club projects. She continues to contribute her time voluntarily to support Chislehurst and West Kent Cricket Club and the wider community.
Carina McEntire is an executive search and leadership specialist with more than 30 years’ experience advising boards, CEOs and senior leadership teams across the life sciences, healthcare and technology sectors on UK, international and global assignments. With an academic background in Psychology and Organisational Psychology, she has a particular interest in leadership, motivation and human potential. A Chislehurst resident whose husband and two sons have all played cricket at CWKCC, Carina has also supported fundraising and community initiatives through volunteer roles at St Nicholas C of E Primary School and Eltham College. She supports the club’s pavilion restoration and heritage project through her work on its fundraising, heritage and pavilion committees.