MULTI-SPORTS
The new Saffrons square, two days before its big debut game
activity. Mowers are whirring and there are rows and rows of gleaming white seats freshly positioned for an expected bumper cricket crowd. It turns out the ground is just a couple of days away from hosting a Royal London Cup clash between Sussex and Gloucestershire.
I
The pavilion is no less busy. I’m introduced to two members of the Saffrons Sports Club management committee, David Lockyer and Roger Myall, both also key figures in the running of Eastbourne Cricket Club, whose history runs alongside that of the Saffrons itself.
The Saffons Club was founded in 1886 on land within the Compton Estate, owned by the Duke of Devonshire. The growing of the saffron crocus, from which the culinary and medicinally famed spice is derived, had taken up some of it. Potatoes, rather less glamorously, took up the rest. It has been a
t’s one of those days in early May when summer sport beckons and winter games wave farewell. Summer, and cricket in particular, seem to be winning as I enter the Saffrons. It’s a hive of
notable and very pleasing home to year round outdoor sport ever since. “The Saffrons management committee is responsible for looking after the club, including its grounds and the surrounds, and meets every couple of months,” said Roger Myall.
“The Club pays an annual rent to the Devonshire estate for use of the 11-acre grounds.”
He goes on to explain that, when the Club had faced difficulties back in 2000, what is known as the 100 Club was set up by local residents to help contribute to the rental cost, alongside the clubs that use the site, principally Eastbourne Town Football Club, Eastbourne Cricket Club and Eastbourne Hockey Club.
“The Saffrons Club is an ‘umbrella’ for these main clubs,” said David Lockyer. “Cricket, football and hockey exist and thrive here mutually, yet separately. Their individual wellbeing is important to them collectively. There’s never any falling out. It has worked well year after year.” Outside the main club umbrella, but still
Compton Croquet Club greenkeeper, John Crisford, diagonally cutting
lawn five, which was drill re-seeded a couple of autumns ago
Left to right: David Lockyer, Roger Myall and Eastbourne Cricket Club Chairman Ian Fletcher-Price
PC June/July 2019 91
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