Howzat!? Cricket pitch bowls over fundraisers for windfall

Members of a local cricket club are bowled over after sweeping up £1,695 to renovate part of their ground.

Micklehurst Cricket Club won the cash boost for their Kippax Corner Regeneration after presenting plans at Mossley SOUP, a fundraiser attended by 160 diners at the town’s Emmaus centre. 

The club was among four projects hoping to win support from the crowd, with Milton St John’s Parent Teacher Association, the Mossley Town Twinning Committee Football Tournament and Walk Tall by Full Stilt also competing for the money. 

"What a fantastic community initiative,” said Chris Hepworth, who pitched the cricket club’s scheme, which is named after the Kippax family who have been involved at Micklehurst for more than 50 years. “We were delighted to be invited to present at Mossley SOUP and all of the projects were great.  

“We are privileged to have won and can’t thank Mossley SOUP, supporters and everyone who attended on the night enough.  

“I was nervous before presenting on behalf of the club, but everyone was very kind and welcoming so that put me at ease.  

“Well done to everyone involved with Mossley SOUP and we look forward to utilising the vital funds to make our project a reality.” 

The other three projects received £100 each. 

Organisers are searching for more community improvement ideas to present at the 20th SOUP event, which is scheduled for October.