Advertisement
Cricket club rising from the ashes
Reporter: Janice Barker
Date online: 15 February 2010
A CRICKET club which almost folded last year is getting young people involved in helping to turn its fortunes around.
Oldham Cricket Club in Broadbent Road has now become Oldham Sports and Community Club, and volunteers from Groundwork’s ‘v challenge’ project have been making it more accessible.
The club suffered a series of problems, including major vandalism, but backing from Groundwork is helping to open it up to the Derker and East Oldham communities.
Work began with a project to clear a disused rear entrance to the club, and in coming weeks the volunteers will be giving the entrance a complete makeover, with local schoolchildren designing a new sign and mural.
The regeneration project’s first stage will be marked by a family fundraising day on March 27.
Dale Ward, Groundwork’s project officer, said: “Volunteers helping the community are very inspiring, and we hope to give the local community a revived area of interest.”
Comments
I spent many happy weekends over the years at The Pollards and saw some of the biggest names in cricket play there. The ground was often packed to capacity but once the 'all day drinking laws' were passed the writing was on the wall - as with many sports clubs who welcomed the Sunday afternoon custom especially - and support dwindled.
The 'die-hards' have kept the club going and I hope that some successful seasons lie ahead and the public support the team. Good luck!
Back in the early 80's i lived 2 doors down from the cricket club. Wonderful fun times back then. Including kids.
i was actually part of the team that restored this path and i have to say reaqlly exhausting
doesn't mention in the article about the buried fences we pulled the buried trash and all the rocks thats me back row with the leather jacket on in the picture
Have Your Say
Sad isn't it? No one wants to comment on a positive story!
By JMTS @ 16/02/2010 01:40:21