Stourbridge cricketers bowled over by clubhouse revamp

Dudley Mayor Councillor Melvyn Mottram cut a ribbon to conclude the completion of the improvements on Saturday.

The opening brings to a close an ambitious five-year development plan at the club.

Other parts of the scheme have seen the building of a community practice facility and restoration of the clubhouse roof to its original 1920s heritage.

The club has also expanded its junior section as part of the plan and installed renewable energy technologies.

Mark Ashbourne, the club's grants and sponsorship officer, said the club had turned around its fortunes with the new developments.

"After all the work we have done, this really is the icing on the cake," he said.

"If tour players don't do well when they've got changing rooms like they have now they never will.

"A few years ago we were closed to being closed down because the club was in such bad shape. Now it just looks completely different. You wouldn't recognise it. We are really pleased."

The club successfully secured more than £42,000 from a number of organisations to undertake the large project.

These include Sport England's Places People Play Inspired Facilities Fund, Cory Environmental Trust in Britain, Stourbridge Area Committee and The Anthony and Gwendoline Wylde Memorial Charity.

Work has included replacing the wooden sub-floor, relaying drainage and creating a new changing room for umpires.

New ceilings and resin flooring has also been created and additional toilets have also been added as part of the scheme.

Councillor Mottram praised the work which had been done.

"The work is fantastic – first class," he said. "It's something that was really needed."

• Pictured above at the unveiling are, front, Vikesh Patel and Michael Detheridge, centre, Greg Edwards, Jack Rolinson, Mayor Melvyn Mottram, Vinay Patel and Dhiran Patel and, top left to right, club chairman Harilal Patel, Councillor Colin Elcock, Mayoress Michelle Mottram, Angela Haymonds, and club president Keith Jones.