Big score for village cricket club

West Ilsley pocket £70,000 grant towards new pavilion and facilities

WEST ILSLEY Cricket Club has been awarded a £70,000 grant towards the demolition and rebuilding of the village cricket pavilion.

The England and Wales Cricket Board has made the grant after the club was identified by the Berkshire Cricket Board and the ECB as one of strategic and developmental importance in developing the game at a local level.

The club has thriving senior and junior sides and the grant of £70,837 will go towards the estimated £98,000 cost of redevelopment.

“It was fantastic news when we were awarded the grant because an up-grade in the Club's pavilion facilities was urgently needed,” said club chairman Richard Beech.

“We have been able to transform the old pavilion and we now have two new changing rooms, an umpires' room, new shower and toilets and facilities for people with disabilities as an addition to the existing bar and social facilities.”

West Ilsley has already attained ECB Clubmark and Focus Club status and provides coaching and cricket opportunities for local schools and stages a primary schools' Kwik Cricket Competition as well as providing for 90 of is own juniors and 20 girl players.