Cricket Club bowled over by Council support…

Alnwick Town Council has awarded a grant pf £924 to Alnwick Cricket Club for the purchase of a scarifier unit that will be used by the club’s volunteers to keep the wicket in tip-top condition. This means the club does not need to engage an external contractor and the saved funds will in turn be used for promoting junior and girls/women’s cricket.

Chair of Alnwick Town Council Governance and Community Engagement Committee, Councillor Lynda Wearn said “The committee were pleased to support this application and the Cricket Club evidenced that they used volunteers to look after the grounds and wanted to increase the reach the club has across the local community.”

The Club was founded in 1837 and is Northumberland’s most senior cricket club. It is also said to be the second-oldest provincial club in England, with a proven continuous history.

The club was founded by the then Duke of Northumberland who had enjoyed cricket in London and he established the club’s first ground at Hulne Park. Alnwick Cricket Club moved to their present home ground at Weavers Way in 1983.

The club currently plays in the Northumberland and Tyneside Cricket League, with two senior league teams as well as a friendly team. The club also runs a junior programme, for boys and girls, with ECB All Stars for aged 5-8 years, ECB Dynamos for aged 8-11 years and they belong to Northumberland Junior Cricket League competing with other local clubs.

Cricket Club secretary Chris Bowmer said “We are very grateful to Alnwick Town Council for this grant. We take great pride is keeping our wickets in the best possible condition and the scarifier will help us do this.”

Chris (middle) is pictured with Councillors Mike Garside and Lynda Wearn with the mower which will house the scarifier unit.