Howzat! Cricket club is to buy its ground

BUY a brick . . . (from left) Tom Boyle, Tim Mitchell and Ray Entwistle

Buy-a-brick plea to fund move

THERE’S no place like home for Moorside Cricket and Bowling Club (CBC), which is finally buying its club ground.

The club, based in Turf Pit Lane, has leased the three-acre site since it was set up more than 150 years ago.

The site was owned most recently by members of the Longden family, but following the death of the club’s landlord last year, his son, who was left the land, contacted members and asked if they wanted to buy the site.

The club jumped at the chance and is hoping to complete the deal, which will cost £80,000, by June.

Tim Mitchell, club treasurer and trustee, said: “The news has been very much welcomed by members.

“We are still coming to terms with the sale but it’s looking like a very rosy future for the club.”

Mr Mitchell said owning the land, classed as designated green belt, gives the club a chance to apply for sports grants and funding for future club development.

He said: “When you apply for funding and you lease the ground, organisations are reluctant to give you grants because you might not be there in the future years.

“Buying the land now means we stand a much better chance of getting the money.”

The club secured a loan for two thirds of the money and has asked its 400 members to take part in a fundraising Buy a Brick scheme.

Members pay £250 a brick and a fortnightly draw reimburses one payee at a time.

Mr Mitchell said: “We announced the news at our annual meeting and members were happy with the buy-a-brick scheme as it gives us a chance to pay people back over time.

“We are thinking about developing facilities in the future and have just refurbished the clubhouse interior.

“But for the next two years we will be focusing on paying members and the mortgage back.”