Last week we heard from Ashford Borough Council that our applications for a grant of £10,000 and a loan of £25,000 towards our new clubhouse had both been successful.

These are the maximum amounts available and they demonstrate just how central the local authority believes the club is to our local community.

The club had to present its plans in person to the Council committee comprising both members and representatives of the voluntary sector in the town. John Cunningham and I were accompanied by our ward councillor Phillip Sims, whose support has been invaluable.

The keys to our success are both the continuing strength of our junior section and our proposals for extending use of the building to other local groups. The new facility will be more than just a cricket clubhouse, it will be providing a vital new meeting place for the village.

We’ve still got some way to go with fundraising to meet all of our requirements but this news is a vote of confidence from the best possible source.

Peter Grant
President