Cricket, gymnastics and football get borough council boost

A much-loved local cricket club that was founded during the reign of Queen Victoria is poised to mark its 150th anniversary by installing the very latest in hi-tech grass – thanks to help from Erewash Borough Council.

The “hybrid” wickets have been hailed as groundbreaking after being pioneered at Lord’s and the Oval. They feature natural turf with tiny amounts of unique polyethylene yarn stitched in to make the surface more durable.

Sandiacre Town Cricket Club is to harness the technology at its historic home in Longmoor Lane after clinching town hall funding towards the cost.

It is one of four cricket clubs across the borough to benefit from £6.5million the authority is ploughing into enhancing the area in all kinds of ways – including by boosting grassroots sports along with volunteer initiatives. Details of the sums available are here: Community Grants 2026-27 | Erewash Borough Council

The £1,500 that went to Sandiacre Town Cricket Club is called a Fast Funding community grant. Ilkeston Rutland Cricket Club also bagged one and will be using the £1,500 to host a community-led music festival next month.

Bigger sums are available via what are known as Member Grants, which need to be championed by a councillor. One of these has gone to Nutbrook Cricket Club. Cllr Carol Hart backed its bid for £3,500 towards new covers for its 3rd and 4th team pitches.

She said in a post online: “I was delighted to support their grant request.” She also endorsed an award of £2,625 to West Hallam White Rose Cricket Club for two-way radios that will be used during community events.

Town hall colleague Cllr Harrison Broadhurst backed another of the grants – £3,500 that has gone towards new inflatable soft play equipment at the booming Erewash Valley Gymnastics Club.

Footballers have also benefited – with £761 in Fast Funding being won by Long Eaton Sunday League team Athletica FC, who play at Breaston Park. It will help with pitch fees, training equipment and first aid kits.

Erewash Deputy Leader Cllr Becca Everett, who is Lead Member for Community Engagement, said: “We are encouraging community initiatives, charity organisations and volunteer groups to apply for these grants – which are thanks to the millions that the council is putting into the Erewash Investment Fund.

“The latest round of grants has already seen 14 given out in the form of Fast Funding – worth a combined total of £19,469. Meanwhile ten Member Grants totalling £32,454 have been approved – with more in the works.”

She added: “It is great to see so many sports clubs benefiting – particularly since the summer is shaping up to be an idyllic one for cricket.”

Sandiacre Town play in the Derbyshire Premier Cricket League and were champions for the sixth time in 2021. The club dates back to 1877 and its 150th birthday next year will be known as a sesquicentennial.

The year it was founded was when Queen Victoria was declared Empress of India. It was also when England played its first test match against Australia. The Wimbledon tennis championships were held for the very first time and saw the gentlemen’s singles won by Spencer Gore – who was a cricketer.