A couple that took a cricket club to court after a cricket ball damaged the solar panels on the roof (Image: William Lailey / SWNS)
A couple has scored a victory over a cricket club after a ball hit for a ‘six’ shattered their solar panel. Peter and Nicola Dewhurst, whose home is just a stone’s throw from Read Cricket Club in Burnley, Lancs, found themselves under siege from stray cricket balls.
Despite a road separating their property from the pitch, powerful shots have been known to send balls flying onto their roof. The Dewhursts were forced to take legal action when one such ball damaged their solar panel in May 2023.
Initially, they simply requested the club to foot the bill for the replacement, and while the club agreed to pay the insurance excess, they backtracked upon learning it exceeded £100.
Undeterred, the couple pursued their claim and triumphed in Burnley County Court on February 7.
The historic club, established in 1878, has been ordered to cough up £495 for the panel, plus £66.40 in interest and £155 for court costs.
A frustrated Mr Dewhurst, 42, expressed his disappointment: “I thought they would just pay to replace the panel and we’d all carry on. If I damaged something belonging to someone, I would make sure I sorted it.”
He added, “But we feel they [Read Cricket Club] did everything possible to avoid having to pay for the damage they caused. They pushed us all the way to court.”
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Peter and Nikki Dewhurst stood outside their home holding the balls which damaged their home. (Image: William Lailey / SWNS)
The ordeal left him feeling upset, especially over the relatively modest sum of £495, but he stressed, “I felt upset about it – especially as it was only £495. But it became a principle thing for us. Nikki and I did what we needed to do to rectify the situation.”
He concluded with a sense of duty, “And we feel it was the right thing to do – for our neighbours as well.”
Mr and Mrs Dewhurst have taken a stand against Read Cricket Club, providing testimony from neighbours who’ve suffered due to stray cricket balls.
One mother recounted ‘numerous’ instances of balls invading her property, one of which narrowly missed her daughter playing in the garden, leaving her deeply ‘worried’.
Another resident reported a cricket ball shattering his window while he was away, a repair for which the club allegedly footed the bill.
Maths teacher Mr Dewhurst insists on preventative action from the club, citing past damages including broken windows and retrieved balls from gardens, highlighting the risk to children.
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Peter and Nicola Dewhurst’s home is one of several located just metres away from Read Cricket Club’s (Image: William Lailey / SWNS)
He warns of the grave danger posed by balls flying onto the adjacent main road, with past incidents involving a smashed car window and a bus window. “This kind of thing has happened before. People have had their windows broken – and I’ve retrieved a ball from a neighbour’s garden. She was concerned as she had a young daughter.
“The club is next to a busy main road and if a ball goes over at the wrong time, it could cause a serious accident.
“On one occasion, a ball smashed the window of a passing car on that road. On another occasion, a ball smashed the window of a bus.
“So they need to try put some prevention measures in place. Even putting up a net during busy games would be a good idea.”
The club has been approached for a response.