A TAMESIDE sports club has received a huge financial boost to help achieve its green goals and reduce bills.
Ashton-Under-Lyne Cricket, Bowling and Tennis Club has benefitted from money from the British Gas Energy for Tomorrow Fund.
That means the Rayner Lane establishment is able to reach its funding goal to install solar panels for improved financial and environmental sustainability.
Thanks to a mix of community backing and the support, the Rayner Lane club has not only met but exceeded its £32,000 target – reaching £33,029 in total.
And trustee Stan Adshead told how it means a new dawn for the club – as well as a boost to keep a green space in that area.
He said: “We wouldn’t be able to do this without their help, that’s a fact.
“Energy bills affected everything. We were getting to the point where we didn’t want to open up and have half a club.
“So we were doubling up meetings, trying to fit two events into one night which is not really practical.
“If you’ve got a board meeting in one part of the room and a committee meeting in the other, it’s not ideal. It doesn’t really work that well.
“But we were put on a shortlist of clubs and it was narrowed down to a handful, I believe five were eventually in the equation.
“And we finally got over the line on October 31. That’s when all the money was raised.
“We’re the last bastion of any greenery around here, which has actually made us more aware of what our responsibilities are. We must look after the wildlife in that area.
“We are responsible for that and we try to look after everything that’s there. This is one way of showing we’re serious.
“People also come and have some respite and enjoy a little bit of greenery. It’s absolutely essential that it’s kept.
“It makes for part of the club as well. We’re all trying to get the youngsters to get involved in their responsibilities as well as what they need to do.”
Club President and fellow trustee Martin Frost told the Correspondent: “We were delighted to be invited to apply for funding from British Gas Energy for Tomorrow for the installation of solar panels.
“Combining this with a crowdfunder we have reached and indeed passed our target of £32,000 and are now planning the work which we anticipate will be completed prior to next season.”
Ashton CC had to find £8,000 – a quarter of what it has raised for its project, with British Gas match funding it with a 3:1 ratio.
Now it is in place, plans are being drawn up to make sure everything complies with putting back into the electricity grid, with a target completion date of February.
And Stan admits money saved from energy bills can go where it can be seen the most, towards its teams.
He added: “Any money that we save will be reinvested into the club and we keep trying to improve the facilities.
“Cricket’s quite an expensive game to play and it’s an expensive game to run as well. We’ve been here about 130 years and everything needs maintaining.
“Everything needs to be upkept and all the equipment that needs to be done needs to be maintained and sometimes replaced.
“So the running costs we save from the Energy for Tomorrow Fund will go back into the running of the club and it’s a continued improvement.
“£8,000 us a lot of money to find in such an area of deprivation and we had to dig deep.
“We called on local businesses to donate their services and their products. Anything from local cafes to restaurants to hairdressing salons to tradesmen.
“Everybody that was asked gave willingly. It’s been a great team effort and the town and the surrounding areas of Tameside have really chipped in.
“Everybody that’s been asked has really tried hard and done their best. It’s been a great effort all round.”
For Martin and the committee, the project is about more than just saving money – it’s about securing the club’s legacy.
“The club committee sees its main role as building on the legacy left to us by those who went before, and investing for the future for those who will follow,” he added.
“The grant and crowdfunder support is hugely important in delivering this. We wish to place on record our grateful thanks to the individuals at BGEfT who have supported us throughout the process. We simply couldn’t have met our target without them.”
The push for sustainability in local sport has also drawn national attention.
Paralympic gold medallist Ellie Simmonds has urged investment in greener energy to safeguard community facilities, warning that without action, countless young people could lose access to the same grassroots clubs that once shaped her own sporting journey.