All change at Shaw

CRICKET:

IMPROVEMENTS to facilities at Shaw Cricket Club are already paying dividends.

The project, which was funded by a loan from former player John Holt, was officially opened by ex-England, Lancashire and Derbyshire batsman Barry Wood, who was the club’s professional in 1989 and 1990.

It includes an extended bar area, a new kitchen, two new dressing rooms, changing facilities for umpires and a tackle shed.

Although groundwork, the laying of the bricks and roof construction was done by specialists, many of other tasks were carried out by members in their own time.

And the new face of Shaw CC, which was completed in under four months, has already reaped rewards.

“We’ve attracted 35 new social members as well as two bookings for christenings,” said first-team Steve Whiston. “We’ve even had an inquiry about a wedding on New Year’s Eve, 2011.

“The main reason for it was to attract functions. The annual bonfire is our biggest earner and we relied on the money from that for club funds, but now we’ve got a back-up.

“We’re very grateful to John for the loan and everyone is delighted at the way it has turned out.”