Cleckheaton Cricket Club’s ground is looking in good shape ahead of their opening home first-team league fixture tomorrow thanks to the NatWest CricketForce project.
A host of volunteers swapped bats and balls for paintbrushes, as the Moorend venue was given a once-over in preparation for the new season.
Keith Johnstone, the groundsman at Cleckheaton, stressed just how important an event for the club this was.
He said: “Looking forward to the start of the cricket season, it was great to see people turning out to get the club and playing facilities in order. Without the help of NatWest CricketForce and the ECB, clubs like ours would not be able to keep the facilities up to scratch. I would like to thank all our volunteers and supporting members.”
A local builders merchants, ATA Limited of Cleckheaton, who are also a sponsor of the club, provided the paint and paint brushes to complete the job.
As well as club and local community members taking part in the nationwide scheme, NatWest staff were also happy to roll up their sleeves, with one senior manager from the local Dewsbury branch helping.
This year’s NatWest CricketForce proved to be a record-breaking year, with 1,914 clubs taking part.
ECB Managing Director of Cricket Partnerships Mike Gatting said: “It still amazes me the projects that can be completed when the community gets behind their local club.”
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