A deal has been reached which means that cricket will continue to be played at Bishop Monkton Playing Fields despite the demise of the village cricket club last Summer. Knaresborough Cricket Club, who play in the Yorkshire Premier League, will use the ground for their third team’s home matches in the coming season. In addition, junior cricket will continue to take place on the pitch.

Sadly, Bishop Monkton’s senior cricket team folded last season. Despite some support from Harrogate Cricket Club Juniors, this was not enough to keep the team going and Bishop Monkton resigned from the league at the beginning of June. Several local clubs have been in the same position in recent seasons with people not returning to playing cricket post-covid and generally people having less time to play cricket all day on a Saturday.

The other good news is that the junior section will continue to operate. This has been very successful since being reinstated five years ago and has been an introduction to cricket for around 100 children as well as an important social event for parents on summer Friday evenings at the playing fields. Three Bishop Monkton boys and one girl are currently playing in Yorkshire regional cricket as well as many Nidderdale players. The ‘All Stars’ cricket sessions will continue for 5 - 8 year olds, plus an under 9s team and an under 11s team thanks to the volunteer coaches Phil Alcock, Alex Higham, Ed Forsyth, Caroline Small and Oliver Clarkson.

Richard Giles, who has looked after the Bishop Monkton Cricket Club for the last few years, said:- “The Knaresborough deal ensures that our fantastic facility is still being used and will offer a pathway for developing junior cricketers to progress. Many thanks to the Village Hall and Gerald Shervington in particular for their commitment in ensuring that cricket continues in the village. This arrangement should also mean that we can still host North Yorkshire age group fixtures which is a prestigious accolade and testament to the facilities at the ground, especially the wicket.”

Richard added:- “With Knaresborough taking over wicket preparation duties, we can finally allow our long-standing and ever dependable groundsman, Alan Wigby, to step down. He has long been the club’s biggest asset and has had a hugely successful lifetime in cricket. We are very grateful for all he has done for the club and look forward to seeing him and Cathy up at the ground watching the juniors for seasons to come.”

Discussions are continuing to try to find another cricket club, to use the ground on the weekends when the ground is not needed by Knaresborough so that there are matches in Bishop Monkton every weekend.