BREAM have launched a drive to raise £10,000 towards reinstating the pavilion at their picturesque village ground after a break of 50 years.
Playing numbers are increasing so quickly that there is a desperate need for the club to once again have its own dedicated space which can be used while junior and senior matches are taking place, and also when the main sports club is closed or being utilised for other events.
Bream have received planning permission to place two shipping containers on the site of their former pavilion on a raised area looking across the ground.
The steel structures will be welded together and clad in wood to create a 50 square metre space to store equipment and personal kit, and there are also plans for steps to be reinstated along with an extensive decking area for spectators plus a dedicated section for scorers.
Dave Beddis, Bream’s vice-chairman and youth coordinator, said: “We’ve gone from having 20 members two years ago to somewhere around 100 so we’re desperate to have this extra space.
“It would make a massive difference to what we’re trying to do, and would also be a great facility for the local community to use as well.
“We ran All Stars this year for the first time and that was such a success with the youngsters that we’ll be doing it again next summer when we also hope to run the Dynamos programme.
“We also now have a ladies softball team and numbers are increasing all the time.”
Bream currently also run a Saturday side in the Cheltenham, Gloucester and Forest of Dean League as well as U11s and U15s in the Leadon Vale League.
The club can trace their history back to the 1860s and for many years hosted testimonial matches for Gloucestershire stars such as Jack Russell, Mike Smith and Mark Alleyne.
Bream then went through a lean period but are now back on track and determined to keep moving forward.
Dave added: “Any help towards our fundraising would be hugely appreciated as we’re trying hard to complete the project in time for the start of next season. We’re very proud of what has been achieved recently despite the challenges posed by covid, and we want to do all we can to build a brighter future.”
To donate, visit: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/new-pavillion?experiment=1
Pictured, left to right: Bream Vice Chairman and Youth Coordinator Dave Beddis, first team captain Dan Millin, Bream Sports Club chairman John Pitcher, Bream CC chairman Steve Fuller, and groundsman Chris Farr.