Saturday 27 October saw the Cricket Factory Team enjoy a day of fun with the local people of South Ockendon as they celebrated reopening the pavillion at their local recreational ground. The pavillion had been refurbished as part of a £275,000 regeneration of the facility and is now a fantastic sports and leisure venue which will last for generations to come.
The three main users of the pavilion: South Ockendon Bowls Club, Brandon Groves Football Club, and Belhus Cricket Club – have worked very closely with the Veolia Mardyke Trust (who awarded the regeneration fund) Thurrock Council and architect Roland Hobbes. The refurbishment is an imaginative scheme that has used as much as possible of the old building, while transforming it so that it can now also be used by other community groups, and can provide a base for events and activities in the park.
The Cricket Factory were invited to the event by Essex County Cricket Club and had a fantastic time, despite the adverse weather which included high winds and hail storms. We also enjoyed great support from the Belhus Cricket club coaches Cliff, Wayne and Mike (who we were thrilled to see again as he supported the very first Cricket Factory Event).
Big thanks go to the terrific local turnout and well done to all the families who managed to complete their scorecards.
