THE sound of leather on willow has resounded around the British Sugar cricket ground for more than 50 years. Not any more. The cricket team bearing the name of the sugar firm was earlier this month given just ten days notice to quit the ground.

With just hours remaining to the start of the season, the team has agreed a deal to share the York RI cricket ground at New Lane for this year.

But the whole incident still rankles.

The British Sugar cricketers had hoped to continue at their Millfield Lane ground for another year, before moving to the new Manor School ground.

But in a letter to the team, the company gave them ten days to move out, citing health and safety.

“As the demolition of the site nears completion we have reviewed the risk assessment,” wrote British Sugar’s head of operations services, Andrew Beresford.

“The site is still industrial in its nature and there are hazards we have to control. With this in mind we will be stopping all access to the site.”

That health and safety angle just doesn’t wash, said cricket club chairman and groundsman Derek Quinn.

The club has its own personal liability insurance which would cover any safety worries, he said.

“It’s an excellent sports field stood doing nothing, something which York can ill-afford to have. It’s a tragedy when you see the ground.”

York already has a well-documented shortage of playing grounds – something that has obvious implications for the health and well-being of the people who live here.

To lose another one in this way is a great shame.

Yes, we knew it was coming. But we could have wished British Sugar, the company, could have given the cricket team bearing its name the extra year its members had expected.

We are delighted the cricketers have managed to find a new ground at such short notice.

But this still leaves a bitter taste.