BEAULIEU CC has celebrated the opening of its new pavilion.

The Hampshire League club’s extended pavilion, funded with the help of New Forest District Council and Sport England via Places People Play, a London 2012 legacy bringing ‘the inspiration and magic of a home Olympic and Paralympic Games into the heart of local communities’.

Following a speech by chairman Ian Bowman, the pavilion was officially opened by Ralph Montagu, the son of club president Lord Montagu, owner of the Beaulieu Estate.

A cricket tea and BBQ was laid on as one of the club's three colts teams played on its new artificial wicket.

Founded in 1849, Beaulieu CC has thrived in recent years.

Set in the beautiful grounds of Beaulieu Estate, it has two teams in the Hampshire League’s Regional Division Four (South West).

It is one of the few teams in the county with a regular Sunday fixture and was awarded Clubmark accreditation by the England & Wales Cricket Board and Sport England three years ago for providing ‘a fun and child-friendly environment in which cricket can thrive’.

Its U11 and U15 teams play on Sunday mornings, while its U13 team plays on Thursdays at 6pm.

The colts train on Tuesday evenings at the ground during the season.

“We are always on the lookout for new players,” said club development manager Brian Malone (brian_malone57@hotmail.com, 07443650701).

Contacts: Colts and Saturday team co-ordinator Alan Varley (01590 654070).

Sunday team manager Neil Bramley (07876141231).