Cricket School

When constructed the Ebbw Vale Indoor Cricket School was said to be one of the largest in the country. Built by local builders George Albert Brown & Company the cost of £14,000 was met by the Ebbw Vale Welfare Association with the Cricket Club paying the greater part of the cost of the nets and indoor furnishings.

Forty yards (36.92 metres) long by fifteen yards (13.84 metres) wide it comprises three bowling lanes in retractable nets and has the capacity for an indoor bowls mat, gymnastics and social functions.

Work began in July 1961 and on Wednesday 21st August 1963 the building was officially opened by Sir Henry Spencer ( Chairman of the Richard Thomas and Baldwins Steel Company ). It was the first day of the County Championships match between Glamorgan and Nottinghamshire and the Glamorgan Captain, Ossie Wheatley, bowled the first ball to Wilf Wooler, secretary and former Captain of Glamorgan.

The building was refurbished by the local authority in 1992 but due to cuts in central government grants to councils the facility was due to be closed. However, the Ebbw Vale Cricket Club leased the building and it was used by cricket clubs as far apart as Bedwas in the south and Talgarth to the north of the town.

Due to an unfortunate set of circumstances the local authority and the Club did not complete the lease contract and in September 2000 it reverted again to be run by the County Borough of Blaenau Gwent and is regularly used for cricket, indoor bowls and other sporting events.

Enquiries for booking time at the school can be made directly to the Council.