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This historical gem was gifted to the College by OS and former governor Graham Doggart back in 1933 who declared the building was to be for ‘a real benefit and joy to Stortford’ in memory of his father, Arthur. And a joy it has been!
This isn't just any building; it's more than a pavilion. It's a beating heart of health, happiness, and wellbeing for every child's sporting journey at the College.
“The proposed redevelopment aims to preserve and update the historical 1930s essence of the main building while incorporating a new wing with modern facilities designed to increase its functionality and appeal. As we develop our broader sports strategy, we will focus the Doggart Pavilion on providing a home for participation and excellence in cricket”.
John Maguire, College Headmaster
The current layout and capacity no longer meet the needs of our pupils, visiting teams, and our increasingly ambitious sports strategy. Space limitations also hinder our ability to host small events that could benefit our community of OS, parents and friends and local school children.
"With the redevelopment of the Doggart pavilion, we are committed to bringing the facility up to modern-day standards, providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for both boys and girls cricket. This investment reflects our dedication to the future of the sport, further reinforced by the recent recruitment of our new cricket professional Ben Twohig, who will help nurture the next generation of talent. Together, these efforts will ensure a vibrant and thriving cricket community for years to come."
Nick Prowse, Director of Sport, Health and Fitness
We are committed to keeping fees affordable, but this restricts funds available for improvements and innovation. Additional funding generated by fundraising and commercial activity is crucial to reducing our reliance on fee income and to bringing projects such as this to life. Cricket is deeply embedded in our sports programme. The Doggart Pavilion represents a benefit for every pupil across our three schools, whether they enjoy simply participating in cricket or taking it to the next level with elite training. Our cricket programme offers every pupil a chance to shine.
Girls’ cricket is thriving at the College, with all girls from Prep to Upper Sixth playing it as their main sport. A growing fixture list and excellent facilities provide our female pupils with the best opportunities to develop their skills and confidence.
Megan Betteridge, Head of Girls’ Cricket
A fundraising campaign to raise £2M by the end of 2028/29 will see the Doggart reign over a new and exciting era in sport at Bishop's Stortford College, especially in cricket, benefiting every child's physical development and wellbeing for years to come.
Early architect’s concept renders subject to planning permission
· Eco-friendly designs and materials to reduce environmental footprint and operational costs. Integrated sustainable and energy-efficient building practices, such as solar panels
· Small but versatile space for community events, meetings, and exhibitions
· Revenue generating opportunities for small-scale commercial activity
We are committed to minimising the impact on our local environment, keeping our neighbours and local wildlife firmly in mind.
"The College offers cricket scholarships to talented pupils who show exceptional skill and dedication to the sport. We collaborate closely with Hertfordshire and Essex County Cricket Associations, as well as Bishop’s Stortford Cricket Club, providing both boys and girls the chance to play high-quality cricket."
Dave Hughes, Assistant Director of Sport (PS), Head of Boys' Cricket
As we develop our broader sport strategy, this project will enable the College to fully support a programme for accelerating boys’ and girls’ cricketing talent and strengthen our ability to host regional and national sporting events.
Your support can take various forms, including:
· General donations to help fund the redevelopment project, regular gifts are a terrific way to help.
· Engraved terrace paving stone £300
· Engraved bench £995
· Participating in fundraising events and campaigns.
· If you are a local business, you may be interested in a corporate donation or sponsorship opportunity.
Limited major donation opportunities are available by discussion with the Director of Development including naming of:
· The Champions’ Archive
· The balcony area
· Home and Away changing rooms X4
· Studio and classroom space
· Multi use function/dining room.
· Bar/serving area.
Invest in the future of our students and help them succeed as well-rounded individuals. Be part of the Doggart’s story!
”I have had the privilege of umpiring hockey matches with players who have gone on to represent their county and their country. I have also enjoyed - albeit with a feeling of being an imposter - umpiring hockey with international umpires from GB and also the Netherlands; I have also had several opportunities to play cricket with members of the MCC. Watching cricket from the balcony on summer’s afternoon was a great antidote to teaching French irregular verbs - not to forget those fabulous cricket ‘tea and cakes’!”
T. Garry Hudson (former Housemaster of Alliott House and Head of Languages)
Over the years, the Doggart hasn’t just been home to cricketing success, it has seen many standout moments in hockey and rugby too. Its historical resonance is immense; something to celebrate and cherish.
Hockey Highlights
Rugby Recollections
Cricketing crackers
· Terrific tours: Our 1st XI have participated in international tours to Saint Lucia (2008) and South Africa. Ongoing triennial tours to South Africa include matches against strong local opposition and are highly anticipated events.
Just a few months before Andy's sudden and unexpected passing, our development team discussed this project with him, knowing how deeply he felt about it. We now treasure his response even more and would love to share Andy's memories of the Doggart with you. Fully unedited.
‘Graham Doggart was a pretty remarkable sportsman, playing cricket for Cambridge University, Durham, and Middlesex, and football for the Corinthian Casuals and England. His son Hubert played cricket for England in 1950 and was educated and taught at Winchester College.
One wonders whether football was played at the school before rugby became the norm. In my era, you could receive a double detention for playing football - ridiculous with England on the cusp of winning the World Cup in 1966!
Two things about the Pavilion stick in my memory after I was selected for the First XV to play as a hooker: the smell of liniment and the noise of rugby boots on the partially wooden flooring.
My coach was Derek Main, who had played for Wales in 1959 and taught me every trick in the front row manual, all of which are illegal now!
Past and Present week was a particular joy at the end of the summer term, with a raft of fine players on parade. Trevor Bailey made a comeback from injury and remembered the ground with great affection. Jonathan Trott and Michael Atherton both played against BSC for their school teams.
I loved cricket with a passion but couldn't play it to save my life. My headmaster, Peter Rowe, who had played for Hertfordshire, summed up my wicketkeeping skills succinctly as he walked over from umpiring at square leg and uttered the immortal words, "Andrew, this may come as a shock to you, but as a keeper, the idea is to stop the ball before it goes past you." I let through over 20 byes in the match! Ted Witherden and his son Nigel became great friends, and I was thrilled that their name is now permanently linked with the area.
If I close my eyes, I'm there - looking out over the playing fields that meant so much to me in my youth and which spawned CIM Jones (one of the greatest all-round sportsmen the school ever produced), Ben Clarke, Barry Mills, Sir Stephen Lander, and many more.
Give generously, and let's get The Doggart back to its former glories’.
Andy Peebles (GH, HH, 60-66)
Your support can take various forms, including:
· General donations of any amount to help fund the redevelopment project; regular gifts are a terrific way to help and can be made monthly, quarterly, or annually
· Purchasing an engraved terrace paving stone in your own name or in honour or memory of a loved one at £300 + Gift Aid (£375)
· Purchasing engraved benches in your own name or in honour or memory of a loved one at £995 + Gift Aid
· Participating in fundraising events and campaigns.
· Contacting us about sponsorship opportunities (e.g. if you own a local business)
Major gift opportunities for naming rights for parts of the Doggart Pavilion over their natural life include:
· Naming of the new wing (extension)
· Naming of the Champions Archive Room
· Home and away changing rooms X4
· The balcony area
· Conference area
· Bar/serving area
If you are interested in a major gift or sponsorship opportunities, in making a leadership contribution to this campaign, or in naming rights, please contact the Director of Development at stefanie.giblin@bishopsstortfordcollege.org or on 01279 952489
The table illustrates how, collectively, we can make a difference to all pupils at the school once gift aid has been factored in.
*once tax has been reclaimed
Gifts can be made:
· On a regular basis
· As a one-off lump sum
· Via your company’s Give As You Earn Scheme
· Via your company’s matched charitable giving scheme
· As a gift of shares
Recognising your generosity
All our donors are vitally important to the College, and we wholeheartedly appreciate your show of support and solidarity in our work. Giving, even on a small scale, encourages more of our community to get involved, and participation supports grant applications to Trusts and Foundations. All donors to the Doggart Pavilion appeal will be listed in our donor magazine
The Wysteria, commemorated on a specially commissioned donor board in the new Doggart (unless anonymity is requested), and invited to a special opening event.
Thank you for your consideration and for supporting a century in the making; it means a lot!
