A VILLAGE playing field's link with the late Bing Crosby will live on amid plans for a new development.
The American crooner put Highside Playing Field Association, which manages a multi-sporting playing area at Kirkby Malzeard, near Ripon, North Yorkshire, firmly on the map when he made a surprise visit in the 1970s.
Bing called in to hand over £1,250, said to be a fee for appearing on Yorkshire Television's Stars on Sunday religious programme, to boost funds.
He had taken time out from a grouse shooting holiday at nearby Dallowgill Moors to meet officials and join a group of cricketing youngsters.
A signed picture recording the visit still hangs in the club pavilion. It will also have pride of place in a new pavilion, currently under discussion.
Along with other club memorabilia, it came within a whisker of being destroyed by fire during the Easter holidays.
North Yorkshire Police are still investigating the blaze and the club has tabled an insurance claim for the damage.
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