Portchester Cricket Club have been given the go ahead to return to the grounds of Portchester Castle after an absence of 16 years.

 With former club Chairman Charles Jordan being the driving force, the club finally signed a lease deal with the English Heritage after many years of negotiation.

 Work is still on-going at the ground with many members putting in extra shifts to ensure the square is back to its former glories.

 The ground will host the club’s 3^rd team in Regional South East Division 4 of the Hampshire League after passing the league’s ground inspection back in October.

 The 1^st and 2^nd team will continue to play at Cams School.

 Portchester C.C. also runs two colt teams and, with the move now in full flow, the club is continually looking to improve facilities for young people in the area.

 The club will use the changing facilities owned by the 3^rd Portchester Sea Scouts and, with the help of Natwest Cricketforce funding and local cricket club volunteers, aim to improve the facilities for both parties.

 There has also been plenty of encouragement and support from the local people about the move, with Reverend Charlie Allen allowing the club to utilise the tearooms at the church. 

 The clubs intention to return to the castle will be complete when the team take to the field to begin their 2012 campaign at the beginning of May. 

Words by Martin Key