Member Article

Northumberland Cricket Club Grabs First Innings To Scoop Funding

MEMBERS of Bedlington Cricket Club were bowled over when players took home £500 of funding after winning their latest title.

The Northumberland club was selected as the winner of Miller Homes’ Summer of Sport competition after their perfect pitch to purchase new practice nets saw them take home the trophy.

As part of its annual competition the leading housebuilder asked local sports clubs across the region to say in no more than 200 words why they deserved to win the prize fund.

Established in 1898, Bedlington Cricket Club beat off stiff competition from other entrants with its nomination, which came in the form of a poem that highlighted the long history of the club, and its need for the new practice nets.

Stuart Irvine, honorary secretary of Bedlington Cricket Club, said: “We couldn’t believe it when we found out that we had won. Our club is run by a team of loyal volunteers and is supported by the funds we manage to raise through donations and club events, so to receive this funding from Miller Homes means so much to everyone involved.

“Recently we were able to buy a new all-weather wicket but so far we haven’t been able to make the most of it, but now we can buy brand new nets, which will allow us to do exactly that. It is much-needed equipment that we would never have dreamt we could afford.”

The new equipment will benefit the club’s 80 junior and adult members, as well as the 30 associated members that come along and cheer on the teams throughout the season.

Karl Morton, Miller Homes North East’s associate sales director, said: “This year’s Summer of Sport competition saw a host of very worthy nominations, but Bedlington Cricket Club’s entry really stood out thanks to the charming poem they submitted, which highlighted the club’s clear passion for supporting its local communities.

“Our Summer of Sport campaign has offered us an ideal opportunity to give back to the grassroots clubs that do so much for communities throughout the North East. Through the funding we can reach out to smaller clubs which may not necessarily be able to fund the projects that would make a real difference to their members.

“Previous winners, the Loftus Dolphins Amateur Swimming Club have benefitted greatly from the funding, and we look forward to helping Bedlington Cricket Club, alongside other local North East sports clubs in the future to help them realise their potential.”

Miller Homes currently has 10 developments located across the North East of England, including the recently launched Wensleydale Park in Blyth, Wheatlands Chase in Redcar and St Mary’s Green in Acklam, as well as Greenvale Park in Newcastle upon Tyne, Miller @ Wyedale in Walker, Bishops Park and Park View in Gateshead, The Meadows in Framwellgate Moor, Mariners Way in Seaham and Kingsmoor in Stockton.

For more information on Miller Homes and its North East developments contact the leading housebuilder on 0808 250 6426 or visit www.millerhomes.co.uk/Locations/North-East-of-England.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miller Homes .