A historic cricket ground previously under threat after neighbours raised complaints has been saved after hundreds of supporters, including England Test captain Ben Stokes, raised £35,00 for safety netting.
The Colehill Cricket Club near Wimborne, Dorset, was first established over 100 years ago in 1905, and has been led by generations of local families ever since.
However, they were threatened with eviction when a £1.5million house bordering the pitch was purchased by a new owner in 2021, as they complained about balls flying into their garden.
Thankfully, the club will not be leaving their 118-year-old home after the immense support they received from the community, and international cricketers, Michael Vaughan and Ben Stokes.
Supporters helped to keep the Colehill Cricket Club open after raising £35,000 for protective netting
England Test captain Ben Stokes took to Twitter to share his support
Stokes said: ‘Checked to see if it was April 1st..it’s not so means this is real.’
A petition to save the club was launched on Friday and has gained more than 31,000 signatures online since.
It is believed at least two neighbours had complained about balls landing on their property.
Another neighbour also claimed that her roof was damaged by a flying ball about six months ago.
But due to the success of the public campaign, the committee gave way on Wednesday and told the club they can stay as long as they raise £35,000 to pay for netting to protect the surrounding properties.
Stokes said: ‘Checked to see if it was April 1st..it’s not so means this is real.’
A petition to save the club was launched on Friday and has gained more than 31,000 signatures
Along with a Crowdfunder, a statement from Colehill Cricked Club said: ‘Neighbours previously unaware of just how valuable the cricket heritage of the village was to the community were given a clear insight into how much it meant.
‘As a result some have now come forward with sizeable offers to cover a portion of the cost of netting,
‘With this in mind the committee have reversed their decision to end adult cricket providing the funds be raised and logistics met to erect the netting required to ensure adult cricket at the ground can continue safely.’
The Colehill Cricket Club near Wimborne, Dorset, was first established over 100 years ago in 1905
The committee gave way on Wednesday and told the club they can stay as long as they raise £35,000 to pay for netting to protect the surrounding properties
Within a few hours, the club had already raised more than £4,000 and have now exceeded their initial goal.
Yesterday, the club tweeted: ‘Blimey.. We’ve hit the target and the future of the ground & club is secured!!!!’
To the delight of residents, the club will continue to run in the area, local, Gemma Elliott, expressed that the idea of Colehill no longer being a part of the community ‘would be wrong’.
She said: ‘I grew up opposite the cricket pitch. It’s been part of Colehill for as long as I can remember and it would be wrong to see it go.
‘There’s always someone trying to change something to their needs.’
Resident Stephanie Roberts also said: ‘How very selfish of the complainant to think they have the right to dictate to this wonderful community sports and recreational facility.
Within a few hours, the club had already raised more than £4,000 and have now exceeded their initial goal
To the delight of residents, the club will continue to run in the area once the netting is installed
‘Perhaps they should move elsewhere rather than have the audacity to expect the cricket club to change.’
George Taylor, the team’s captain, previously expressed that the club had stood for decades without a problem from the locals, but recently a ‘not in my backyard’, commonly abbreviated to NIMBY, attitude has arise.
The phrase refers to people who are more than happy for developments or activities to happen, but far out of sight of their properties.
He said: ‘Cricket’s been played there for 100 years, Colehill once had a premier league team, a proper team – the standard in Dorset cricket used to be really high and had no issues as the neighbours were accommodating.
‘They understood they get such a benefit of living there they could put up with the odd broken tile or ball in their garden.
‘It’s a general attitude that’s changed, this NIMBY mentality. People know, they’re not blind to see the field when they move in. It must just be they’re ignorant or self entitled enough to think the world should change around them.’
