Students from Bedales prep and senior schools 
helped raise the roof of the new Sports Pavilion this week as stage two of the building project commenced following the construction of the timber frame in the school’s Outdoor Work department.
Located between the Astroturf and grass pitches, the Sam Banks Pavilion will be a base for pupils participating in sports and an impressive shelter for spectators to enjoy fixtures. The pavilion will also be available for local clubs when they use the school’s sports facilities.
The original concept for the design was developed by former Bedales student Matthew Rice, and the project has been funded through the fundraising efforts of pupils and parents in addition to school funds.
Dedicated to Sam Banks who died while on a visit to India in 2010, the pavilion will be a fitting memorial to the former Bedales student who was a keen and accomplished cricketer.
Earlier this term, former Bedales students Gabriel Langlands, Henry Russell and John Russell began the process of carving the timber for the frame with the help of students.
They are specialists in using traditional methods for oak framed construction, which reflects the style of other buildings on the Bedales estate such as the Grade 1 listed Memorial Library.
Once the foundations were ready, the timber framework was moved to the sports pitch for installation. Bedales students helped pull the ropes to raise the wooden beams into position.
Commenting on the pavilion construction, Keith Budge, Headmaster of Bedales Schools, said: “Raising the pavilion was a momentous occasion for the Bedales community and it was important that our students had the opportunity to play a part. This is very much an in-house project drawing on the skills, resources and generosity of those past and present from Bedales who wanted to make a contribution both to providing a wonderful new facility for the school and to building a lasting memorial to Sam Banks.”