The EASST Collection

The Peter Butler Oval

Peter and Linley Butler first got involved at Garon Park in the 1990s when Essex Cricket were looking for a new home in Southend and through their EASST charity, together with Joe Sims and donors to the charity, they raised and spent significant funds on installing the magnificent Garon Park Festival Cricket Ground, the start of their Collection, which was quickly followed by the Nets. In 2014, Peter was a founding Director of Garon Park CIC and his passion for cricket, football and youth development fitted perfectly with the other Board
members and he served until his passing in 2021. Rachel, Peter’s daughter, has joined Linley in administering EASST and their passion for sporting development is unabated. They have added to the ‘EASST Collection’ with the Southend United Community Trust School premises.

Peter was a long term planner and understood the need for term provision to be made to ensure facilities were fit for purpose and since 2014 oversaw the refurbishment of the scoreboard, the updating of the cricket equipment (site screens etc) and had the pitch relaid. It also means that EASST make generous donations each year towards the maintenance of the site and ensures Essex Cricket have 40 days of top class facility for their development teams and senior fixtures. In tribute to Peter’s passion, drive and commitment to Garon Park, the Cricket Ground has been named The Peter Butler Oval in his honour.

“Sport was always part of Peter’s life and became a major part of family life and I’m delighted to say, Rachel my daughter, also has that passion and has joined me to continue the family legacy through EASST. Garon Park provides an inspiring setting for the EASST Collection, amongst other Collections, which combined provide a safe destination for the local community and young people in particular to develop and thrive”
Linley and Rachel Butler