ALTON Town Council has made a £300 grant to Holybourne Cricket Club to support the replacement of an existing shed, needed to store kit, ground and playing equipment.

Donated by the Girl Guides many years ago, the shed is now rotten and falling down.

Holybourne Cricket Club sub-lets both the cricket pavilion and ground from Holybourne Sports Field Trust for which it pays an annual rent. As the key user of the facility the club also pays for maintenance, upkeep and improvements to the pavilion and ground .In discussing the request at ATC council meeting councillors heard that, while it only operates from the beginning of May to the end of August, the cricket club is actively involved in fund raising to support its running costs. It has a small bar that opens on match days and it holds events during the summer months.

It was made clear also that the club was “entirely self-sufficient” but needed to rely on grant support when considering the purchase of larger items such as a new shed, which was expected to cost in the region of £600.

The club had already been awarded £300 towards the cost of the shed by Hampshire Playing Fields Association, and ATC agreed to match fund to make up the difference.