Cricket ground’s flooding woes

There is currently a large amount of standing water on the ground at George Meadow, which is not draining away.

The flooding has forced Battle Cricket Club to cancel a number of fixtures, resulting in a financial penalty for the club.

Now Battle Town Council, which is responsible for the ground, has decided to take action.

Speaking at Tuesday night’s Battle Town Council meeting, town clerk Anna Evett told councillors: “There’s quite a large amount of water which is not going to go anywhere and it’s quite smelly as well.

“It means the cricket club cannot play any of their matches.”

Anna said she had obtained quotes for the work ranging from £4,500 to £9,000 or £2,500 for the ‘quick fix’ solution of an open drain.

Tests have not revealed where the water is coming from, but it’s believed a natural spring is causing the problems - and future problems could not be ruled out.

Cllr Paula Fisher said: “Perhaps we could do the short term job now and the long term job after the season?”

Cllr Richard Bye said: “The cricket club are losing £200 every cancelled match.

“I think we have a duty to do something.”

But Rother councillor and cricketer Kevin Dixon issued a warning about any work which could affect the ground’s already small boundaries.

He said: “Any scheme with trench work which may reduce the size of the boundary would cause a problem.”

Councillors voted to pay out up to £4,500 for the urgent work.