A Chichester councillor has asked for the city’s most famous cricketing son to be remembered when the Priory Park pavilion is revamped or rebuilt.
Whatever is decided for the White Pavilion, Henry Potter (Con, Goodwood) has called for something to be incorporated into the project in memory of James Lillywhite (1842-1929).
Lillywhite, who was born in Westhampnett, was captain of England during the team’s first Test cricket tour of Australia. The first match started at the Adelaide Oval on November 16 1876.
He played 256 First Class matches during his career, taking more than 1,200 wickets, with his best match seeing him take 10 wickets for 129 runs.
He played for Sussex between 1862 and 1883, and for Goodwood, taking countless wickets in Priory Park. He also served as an umpire in six Tests between 1881 and 1899.
Lillywhite died in Chichester on October 25 1929.
The council has included £561,000 in its Corporate Plan for work at the White Pavilion. Architects have been appointed to develop plans and costings for three options, including refurbishment and rebuilding.
During a meeting of the full council – at which the Corporate Plan was approved – John Cross, cabinet member for culture, sport & place, said the pavilion was ‘in urgent need of refurbishment – arguably of being knocked down and rebuilt’.
He added: “The building continues to deteriorate and doesn’t really suit its function any more. It needs urgent investment to meet the needs of the current and future users of the park.”
Those needs include the installation of gender neutral changing rooms and toilets.
Whichever option is chosen, construction work is expected to run from September 2026 to February 2027.
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