Cricket club bowled over by £27k donation
A cricket club that was stumped when its nets became too dangerous to use is celebrating a funding boost.
Belbroughton Cricket Club has officially opened its new practice nets, installed after Cory Environmental Trust in Britain handed over more than £27,000.
The community club, which fields 16 teams from under nine to senior level, began fundraising for the facilities upgrade after its previous nets became increasingly dangerous to use.
Not only blighted by holes and ripped patches of artificial turf, the nets ran from east to west, leaving bowlers and batsmen with the sun in their eyes at various times of the day.
The new nets will be used by club members, local schools and community groups.
Tony Boardman, vice-chairman of Belbroughton Cricket Club, said: "Our former nets were dated and in an extremely poor state of repair. Our new nets provide us with the state-of-the-art facilities needed to attract more local people into cricket.
"We would like to thank Cory Environmental Trust Board for helping us hit our fundraising target."
Angela Haymonds, Trust Secretary, said: "The Trustees were pleased to be able to contribute to this project.
"These new nets will encourage a broad section of the community with a focal point to come together and spend leisure time."
Belbroughton Cricket Club reached its £47,868 fundraising target thanks to the Board and an earlier grant provided by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Trust Board funding is available for a wide range of projects that bring benefit to local communities. This may include refurbishment of churches or buildings of architectural or historical significance, or general amenity projects.
