Austerlands not resting on their laurels

Left to right: Phil Young (Austerlands chairman), Margaret Cobbold (Veolia Environmental Trust) and Peter Sunderland (project co-ordinator).

MEMBERS of Austerlands Cricket Club can reflect on a job well done after work was completed to revamp their Thorpe Lane ground.

The improvements include an extension to the car park, a walkway which encircles the outfield, a children’s play section and seating on a freshly-landscaped area next to the scoreboard.

Austerlands were awarded a grant of almost £40,000 to carry out the work. Much of the money — almost £31,500 — came from The Veolia Environmental Trust, who deal in waste management and operate in High Moor quarry, close to the ground.

According to officials, the development will not only benefit the club but also the community. And, rather than resting on their laurels, Austerlands already have an eye on the future.

Project co-ordinator Peter Sunderland said: “The function room and bar area are good, so is the ground externally, but the players’ changing rooms do need some attention.

“If we can make these additional improvements, then that will hopefully lead to us staging inter-league as well as some junior Lancashire fixtures.”

A grant of £31,457 was awarded by the Trust through the Landfill Communities Fund. The fund allows landfill operators to retain a portion of the tax paid on the waste they send to landfill and distribute it to community and environmental projects.

Other partners supporting the project were: Greening Greater Manchester, Groundwork (Rochdale and Oldham), Yorkshire Tea, The Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund, The Saddleworth and Lees Community Council, Oldham Municipal Borough Council Regeneration Department and The Manchester Guardian Society Charitable Trust.

The executive director of The Veolia Environmental Trust, Margaret Cobbold, said: “This scheme is an excellent example of how The Landfill Communities Fund can make a real difference to sporting facilities.

“This project is the result of a lot of hard work and dedication and credit must be given to the club and its members. I hope the results are enjoyed for many years to come.”