FINANCIAL pressure placed on Shanklin Cricket Club because of the coronavirus pandemic has been eased, thanks to the award of £13,000 in grant funding.
The Westhill club have balanced the books this summer — despite the worry lockdown would have on it — thanks to a £10,000 government payment and a further £3,000 from Sport England.
The money will ensure one of the Isle of Wight’s top cricket venues continues to be well maintained in readiness for a resumption of cricket action.
Club official, Guy de Belder, said: “These grants will help the club to meet its financial obligations during the pandemic.
“We recently paid for new scarifier blades, which will improve the quality of the pitches.
“Our fundraising effort has also been very successful and we have been able to meet all of the expenses associated with our ongoing refurbishment project without dipping into the club reserves.
“This has been a wonderful effort by so many people.”
Among other news at the club, Bob Crawley has resigned as chairman for personal reasons, but will continue as treasurer until the February 2021 AGM.
Also, centenarian president, Bill Jenkins, is recuperating at The Adelaide residential care home in Ryde following a fall at home during lockdown.
Scheduled work on the club’s £20,000 refurbishment project has also been completed after a seven-week lockdown delay.
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