Major renovations transform community facilities

Accrington Cricket Club is celebrating a stunning transformation after a series of major renovations have given the historic club and its grounds a brand-new look for players, supporters and the wider community.

The improvements, celebrated during Accrington CC’s recent T20 clash against Burnley CC, have been made possible thanks to more than £14,000 raised through successful funding bids supported by #AmazingAccrington.

The extensive upgrades have significantly improved the club’s facilities, accessibility and overall appearance, helping cement Accrington Cricket Club’s position at the heart of the local sporting community.

A £2,500 grant from the Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund, alongside donations and countless hours volunteered by Accrington CC members, enabled the construction of new terracing at the front of the clubhouse, complete with an attractive new flower bed.

In addition, #AmazingAccrington worked in collaboration with Accrington CC to secure £10,000 from the England and Wales Cricket Board’s Welcoming Environments Fund. Combined with funding from Accrington CC, this allowed the communal area to be levelled and fully tarmacked, replacing uneven grass and ageing flagstones with a modern, accessible space that can be enjoyed by everyone.

The renovations have dramatically improved accessibility around the ground, removing barriers that previously made movement difficult for people with low mobility.

Further work has also been carried out on the playing surfaces, including improvements to the cricket square through the removal of the top layer of grass before new loam and seed were added to create a more even and consistent surface. Continuous enhancements to the outfield and football pitches have also been funded by the Football Foundation, while four new wildflower meadows were seeded in May with support from the Prospects Foundation.

The work continues to strengthen what has become a triangle of sporting excellence in the area, with Accrington Cricket Club sitting alongside Accrington Stanley and Accrington Stanley Community Trust in providing first-class sporting facilities for the community.

Jonathan Hayhurst, chairman of Accrington Cricket Club said: “The improvements have been absolutely incredible and have made such a huge difference to the club already.

"The whole place feels more welcoming, more accessible and somewhere the community can really enjoy spending time. We’re extremely grateful to everybody who has supported the project, whether through funding, volunteering or giving up their time to help make it happen.”

Stephen Lowe, whose son plays for Accrington Cricket Club, said: “The work that’s been done here has been fantastic. This club is a real community hub and so many people have chipped in to help. It looks absolutely brilliant and everyone involved should be really proud of what’s been achieved.”

Murray Dawson, chair of #AmazingAccrington and managing director of Scott Dawson Advertising, said: “Accrington Cricket Club is a massive part of the local community and we were proud to support the bid writing process to help raise much-needed funding for the club.

"The improvements that have been made are outstanding and will benefit local people of all ages for many years to come.”

You can learn more about Accrington Cricket Club, including their function room which is available to hire for birthdays, christenings, engagements and much more, on their website: https://accringtoncricketclub.co.uk/