Cricket's Mike Gatting runs out to boost Stourbridge club
Former England cricket captain Mike Gatting swapped his bat for a paintbrush and shovel as he rolled his sleeves up to help a club prepare its ground for the new season.
Members of Pedmore Cricket Club, in Stourbridge, secured the services of the well-known sportsman as groundsman for the day as part of a national scheme to help the grassroots game. Players both young and old turned out to meet the ex-cricket star as he arrived at the ground, in Pedmore Hall Lane, Pedmore, for the visit.
The club has taken part in the Natwest Cricket Force scheme, which aims to boost club cricket by bringing sponsors on board to help keep grounds well-maintained.
Youngsters joined Gatting to paint perimeter picket fences, make the finishing touches to improvements to the car park and cut back overgrown sections of the pitch.
"It is heart-warming to be here at Pedmore to see everyone coming out to support the club and also local businesses who are helping them," he said.
"I wouldn't be here without the grassroots clubs like this. With the people turning out for games every week, the social side and the traditions, they are the people who are at the heart of the clubs and the community. I don't mind getting my hands dirty at all because this is for the community." A new fence surrounding the ground has been installed and paving laid around the clubhouse ahead of the season which starts for the 1st XI on April 26 in division one of the Worcestershire County Cricket League.
The club was given £350 to spend at building merchants Jewson as part of a link with with the England and Wales Cricket Board and Natwest on the scheme with members adding a further £50 to the pot.
Club chairman Roger Price said: "Having Mike Gatting come down here has given the club a real boost and we hope that it will help to boost our profile. It is always good to see everyone mucking in."
