134 not out for Glapwell Colliery Cricket Club – with big plans for refurbishment

At 134 years old, Glapwell Colliery Cricket Club has certainly had a good innings.

Now club officials have put a whole new spin on its future, with major investment ensuring the delivery of ongoing improvements to make the venue more accessible.

The club was founded in 1892, to provide recreational and social activities for the miners of Glapwell Colliery, where the shaft sinking began 12 years before.

“When the pits were going, it was great,” said Councillor John Ritchie, who represents Ault Hucknall on Bolsover District Council and is also club chairman.

“During the 1984 Miners’ Strike, if you wanted to go to an away game, for instance at Ollerton, there were three changing rooms – one for the home players, one for the away team and one for those on strike – it was very bizarre.”

The club was historically based at Doe Lea before moving to the present site above the grounds of the former Glapwell Hall estate, in 1935.

Now, almost a century later, the Park Avenue ground is undergoing a make-over.

Cllr Ritchie, who played his first game of cricket in the Bassetlaw League in 1968, said: “We spent £116,000 last year to improve inclusion. This funded a more accessible toilet for disabled users, and a ramp to get onto the terrace, as well as solar panels and new windows on the back, LED lights and electric shutters.

“The funding included £35,000 from Bolsover District Council’s Rural Fund, £40,000 Section 106 funds from development on the Glapwell Nurseries site, £5,000 from the England and Wales Cricket Board, a loan of £10,000 and the rest came from the cricket club.

“There is lots more to do. The next phase includes a ladies’ changing room, bringing the lounge forward and extending a kitchen onto the back, as well as adding a new umpire’s room, which will cost around £200,000.

“We are also hoping to get £9,456 from the district council’s Regeneration Scheme for some gazebos and a new mower and are working really well with Glapwell Parish Council.”

The club runs three teams, with two Saturday sides playing in the Derbyshire League and a Sunday team playing in the Mansfield and District League, as well as various sides for ages up to 11, with over 40 youngsters attending every Friday night.

The Sunday side came runners-up in the Section 3 North division of the Mansfield and District League last season.

Cllr Ritchie said: “We are up against teams like Borrowash, Chesterfield and Rolls-Royce. We are a local cricket club that do very well for ourselves.”

He added: “We are trying to make the club more community-based – we have Glapwell Carnival here in the summer, and also the forthcoming Fireworks Night, on 31 October.”

Cllr Ritchie said what he loves about the club and cricket, is “the tremendous amount of lifelong friendship, and playing sports keeps you fit”.

“I’ve got a son and three grandsons all heavily involved in cricket – that’s how clubs are surviving,” he added.

To find out more about Glapwell Colliery Cricket Club, please visit its Facebook page.