Thornham Cricket Club secures £50,000 from sporting legacy fund

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Thornham Cricket Club has secured £50,000 of National Lottery funding towards the creation of a new multi-functional building that will incorporate changing rooms, toilets and showers.

In addition there will be a new community venue that may be used as a training centre or as a meeting/small function room. This room will have full kitchen facilities, meet all access standards, and will be available for use from summer 2014 onwards.

Club Chairman, Ian Heywood, said: “As a genuine village cricket club we are delighted to have secured this investment which means that we can significantly upgrade the quality of our premises.

"The new facilities, provided as part of the 2012 Olympics’ legacy, will enable the club to develop sporting opportunities for junior and adult cricketers as well fulfilling our aim to become an outstanding cricket club that plays a full and vibrant role within the local community”.

Local MP, Jim Dobbin, said: “This investment by Sport England is a great achievement for Thornham Cricket Club and it will be a real shot in the arm for the club and cricket in general in the borough. So well done Thornham.”

Thornham Cricket Club is one of well over 300 projects across England receiving lottery investment from the fourth round of the Inspired Facilities fund and one of more than 1,300 to benefit overall.

Many more communities are now set to benefit from the hugely popular fund, after Sport England today announced that it was extending Inspired Facilities until 2017, with an additional £40 million of National Lottery funding to invest. Bids will be accepted for the next round of Inspired Facilities funding from the 21 October 2013.