Description

This is the pavillion shortly after construction around 1960. It was eventually replaced around 2024.

The inside of the pavillion was used to store cricket equipment such as pads, stumps, bails bats etc. It also had the capacity to show the score during a cricket match.

For many pupils it was a good place to smoke cigarettes under cover of rain and the view of the teachers. Smoking was forbidden and if a perpetrator was caught smoking there were consequential penalites. However this did not deter many people from "having a fag behind the pav".

As we all know smoking is a suicidal activity and many ex students who started smoking at Sibford have since died an early death because of it. That is not to cast blame on the school authorities, they did their best to disuade the children from smoking.

Is prohibition the best way to curtail bad activities? In the case of smoking at Sibford it created an unexpected rich social environment where more rebelious types could socialise and congreate. Thus making smoking more attractive as an activity.

The prohibition of smoking at Sibford created many rich "3rd places" and maybe the best way of combatting smoking would have been to create interesting "3rd places." not related to breaking the rules.

Third places are social environments distinct from home ("first place") and work ("second place"), offering crucial spaces for community, relaxation, and conversation. Coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg in 1989, these informal, neutral, and accessible spots—such as cafes, parks, libraries, and pubs—foster relationships, reduce loneliness, and strengthen democratic life.

Details

Location

📍 52.030605, -1.481321

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