Mary Hignett Grant Supports Cae Glas Cricket Club Refurbishment

After its foundation in 1952, during its early years, Cae Glas Cricket Club was nomadic playing at various pitches around Oswestry.  It wasn't until 1976 that the Club settled at its current Gatacre playing fields and pavilion home.  After nearly 40 years their tenancy on the site was only secured in 2015 when Shropshire Council and Fields in Trust granted them a 30-year lease to enable the Club itself to raise the thousands of pounds necessary to bring the sound but run-down building back for both sporting and community use.  

On a project costing over £200,000, with local support demonstrated by community consulation, the Club secured funding from Sport England, WREN (Waste Recycling Environmental Limited), Oswestry Town Council and many local firms including DPA Design, GHP Legal services, Howdens Joinery and Hawk Developments.  Works commenced in October 2015 and have recently finished with the official opening of the venue taking place on Sunday July 3rd.

Cae Glas Chairman Andy Griffiths is delighted with the refurbishments.  "The aim of the project is to improve and enhance facilities for local, grassroots sport clubs, community and special interest groups to provide an asset to the people of Oswestry and the surrounding area." he said, "We are very grateful to the many local organisations who have given financial support."

With 2 teams in the Shropshire County League and a mid-week friendly team playing in the Shrewsbury & District Evening Cricket League this season, the Club's 45 playing members are enjoying the new changing rooms and social facilities at what, with views over the cricket square to a backdrop of Old Oswestry Hill Fort, the England and Wales Cricket Board recently called "the most perfect setting for a cricket pitch".  

Members of the Rotary Club of Oswestry, who, on a lovely sunny day, could only agree with the ECB, were recently invited to look at the refurbishments and see the new chairs and tables bought with a £2,000 grant from the Mary Hignett Bequest Fund administered by the Club.  Looking around the facilty, Oswestry Rotary Club President Mike Griffiths could only congratulate Andy and fellow Club stalwart Janet Marsden on the results of their efforts. "You have achieved a magnificent result with this project," Mike said, "I am sure the community and Cae Glas CC will get years of terrific use from this facility!"