Truce called as plans for Evenwood sports ground makeover are revealed

SPORTS facilities in a Teesdale village could get a makeover after a cricket club and the group which manages their ground agreed to make a “fresh start” and create a development plan.

Relations between Evenwood Cricket Club and the parish council, which looks after the Randolph Social Welfare Ground, were strained to the point that cricketers made an “informal enquiry” to Durham County Council about finding a new ground.

Now the county council is helping the two parties settle their differences and come up with improvements all are happy with.

A draft development plan has been drawn up for the trustees to consider and includes ideas such as CCTV to protect the ground from yobs, fencing to stop horses roaming on the site and heating for the clubhouse, which is also used by the village football team. A final plan would then be created and applications to Sport England for funding would be made.

Wayne Brown, sports development officer at Durham County Council, said: “It’s a working document that may be amended but it shows the vision of the club to improve facilities and get more people participating.”

The cricket club and the parish council trustees met last week. Those present agreed that when the parties got together in 2012, it led to a positive outcome. Back then, they drew up plans that led to a grant being secured to refurbish the pavilion.

The cricket team has sought to make further changes such as installing CCTV. Funding has been granted but the parish council put the scheme on ice because of human rights fears and the need for a consultation, leading to tension between the two groups.

Parish chairwoman Cllr Barbara Nicholson said she felt like the parish council had been “kicked in the teeth” after hearing the club had sought advice about moving to a new ground last year.

“I thought we had just had a positive meeting when we met last October and then I heard about that,” she said.

At last week’s meeting, parish councillors reminded the club that the sports pitch was also used by other groups. Cllr Mary Prince said she was annoyed that the club often fails to pay the rent on time.

Cllr Rachel Webb said it was time to move on. “It can’t be pitchfork and backstabbing any more. We have got to get past that stage,”

George Richardson, senior sports development officer at the county council, said the plan also included working with schools to bring in more junior players, as well as improving the club’s finances.

Those at the meeting agreed to communicate better and Mr Richardson said he could act as a temporary go-between if needed. However, one member of the cricket team has been asked to apologise for comments made on social media.

Mr Richardson replied: “It sounds like everyone wants to move forward progress.”

Cllr Nicholson added: “Let’s hope it’s a new start.”

Chris Geddes, the manager of Evenwood Town Football Club, said the ideas put forward, such as CCTV, would benefit his team too.

Luke Bannister, secretary of the cricket team, said: “The parish council can see what we would like now. We’ve got the worst facilities in the league but we want to change that. The ball’s in their court.”

While Evenwood Parish Council act as trustees of the sports ground, it is owned by the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation (CISWO).

Preparations for the coming cricket season were dealt a heavy blow earlier this month when horses got into the field and churned up the playing surface. Mr Bannister said: “We had them on the field for five days – they’ve absolutely destroyed the square.

“I put up a four feet white fence and was given permission by CISWO – the parish council took it down. The main reason for the horses getting in was the fence was down.”