One of Thurrock’s oldest Sports Clubs – Stanford-le-Hope Cricket Club – is celebrating a £17,000 grant from Veolia North Thames Trust (VNTT) which will enable them to refurbish their practice facilities, install a grass reinforcement system and implement a hedgerow planting scheme.

Formed in 1887, the club comprises 130 members and the teams include Juniors, Veterans and Ladies. The club is also a longstanding member of the Shepherd Neame Essex League.

The club hopes that the work will be finished by the end of June and that results will include extended bowling ends and the ability to move heavy maintenance equipment across the grounds without damaging the grass.

John Hicks, Honorary Treasurer, said, “Everyone at the club is delighted with the funding and we are most grateful to VNTT. The improved practice facilities will benefit all the teams here. We are constantly looking to encourage new members and anyone interested in joining this historic cricket club should get in touch with us”.

The club was award “Clubmark” by the ECB (England & Wales Cricket Board) in 2013. An accredited club is recognised as a safe, rewarding and fulfilling place for participants of all ages as well as helping parents and carers know that they're choosing the right club for their young people.

Doug Benjafield, Chair of VNTT said, “Stanford-le-Hope CC has been enabling local residents to enjoy participation in the game of cricket for nearly 130 years and they have a positive attitude to getting all members of the community involved. The Trustees and I hope that the club will benefit immensely from the improved practice facilities and we look forward to following their progress during 2015”.