Prize clubhouse!

Members of the club, which enjoys more than a 100 years of history, decided that they could not wait until they had raised enough money for a new clubhouse.

So instead, they have been building the club's impressive new home as soon as they have raised money for a each new phase.

Now, their patience and determination has been rewarded as the club has won a Bosch competition in association with the Telegraph & Argus.

The club's fundraising committee chairman Colin Thornes was overjoyed to win the prize of £3,000 cash and £1,500 of Bosch tools.

The club's dilapidated building is a small pre-fabricated oblong block, which is at least 30-years-old.

It has one small toilet, a cramped kitchen and very basic spaces for home and away teams to change in.

Mr Thornes said: "Its flat roof lets in water in winter. All the doors in the kitchen area are falling off their hinges and we have totally inadequate facilities with no showers.

"It has served its purpose well but we cannot run a modern cricket club like this.

"We have got to make money over the bar and through other methods. Once people finish playing here, they cannot get away fast enough because there is nowhere for them to go."

The cricket club was founded in 1895.

Mr Thorne's grandson Grant is the fifth generation to play there from his family.

Fifty years ago, the cricket green was on the edge of Idle Moor but a succession of housing developments have made the club's green playing area more and more vital to the area.

Children who live nearby have been clamouring to join the club which now supports three children's teams and two adult teams. It is also a focal point for the village's sporting and social events.

During the winter, the club will also be used by a running club.

Fundraising began in earnest a year ago. Through galas, barbecues, quizzes, a treasure hunts and raffles, the club has raised £24,000 so far, which has paid for the base of the new 60ft by 33ft building, the walls and the roof trusses.

All the work apart from the actual bricklaying has been done by club members, who were kept fed and watered by the club's female contingent.

"As soon as we raised enough money, we put something else up," said Mr Thornes.

"The new clubhouse is massive, with a big lounge area which will have a bar, kitchen, ladies, gents and disabled toilets, ladies and gents' showers and two changing rooms."

Bosch contacted Mr Thornes to find out exactly what the club needed to finish the job.

They were most impressed with the Hepworth and Idle Cricket Club's entry because they involved the whole community in the new plans.

A training day for the club members has been arranged by Bosch.

Beverley Duce, Bosch's national merchandising manager said: "We think this is a worthwhile cause that helps the whole community."

For club chairman Brian, the prize means more than money and tools.

"It is absolutely fantastic," he said. "This has lifted the club and the committee and given us a boost.

"Everybody nearby has suddenly become interested in our project.

"We wanted to get the roof on and make the building waterproofed before winter.

"Now with this cash injection, we can go much further. We hope to be able to use the building by the beginning of next season in April."

People who have been passing while club members have been working hard on the building have been giving donations. One resident was so impressed with their efforts, they gave £500 last week.

The cricket club has appealed for anyone who can help out with the building or offer any type of support to ring Brian Heaton on (01274) 631871 or go to the club on Westfield Lane on the next two Saturdays.