Council grants nearly £11,000 to local sports projects

Published on 17 February 2022

Funding of almost £11,000 has been awarded to two more projects in the Moorlands aimed at enabling local people to be more active - and the Council is keen to hear from others planning similar schemes in their areas.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has set aside funding to provide financial support for local projects which increase opportunities for activity in local communities to go ahead.

The latest grants have been awarded to Endon and Stanley Parish Council, to improve a walking/running track, and to Leek Cricket Club who want to improve their grounds maintenance programme and develop intergenerational work within the Club.

The Parish Council will receive £6,700 to improve the walking/running track which boarders Hillswood playing fields and the Cricket Club has been granted £4,000 towards the cost of refurbishing their grounds maintenance equipment.

Councillor Mark Deaville, Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for Leisure and Sports, said: "We want to encourage our residents to be more active and to take part in sport and physical activity that benefits both their mental and physical health.

"That's why it's a priority for us to put our money where our mouth is by providing funding to support community sports projects, such as these in Endon and Leek, which increase the opportunities for people to get involved in activities that suit them.

"I know they will make a difference in their local communities and I look forward to seeing the results of both of these schemes in due course."

Alongside the track improvements, Endon and Stanley Parish Council also have plans to encourage greater use of the recreation area by improving the outdoor gym at the edge of the track, installing picnic tables, purchasing bird/bat boxes, and planting a variety of trees to encourage biodiversity.

Leek Cricket Club has already raised £2,650 towards the cost of refurbishing an existing piece of equipment to make it easier to use and enabling older members to train junior members to ensure future sustainability. The Council's grant makes up the required shortfall so this project can go ahead.

The Council has also agreed to fund a feasibility study to look at establishing a multi-use games area at Hot Lane playing fields in Biddulph Moor and would encourage any other community group, club or organisation in the Moorlands planning similar projects to increase activity in their areas to get in touch by emailing leisure.services@staffsmoorlands.gov.uk

Projects which have already received Council funding include:

·       Development of a new 3G pitch at Leek Town FC's Harrison Park

·       Development of a pump track at Meigh Road, Werrington

·       Enhancement of play and recreational facilities in Whiston

·       Improvements to playing pitches at Waterhouses Sports Field

Three further projects currently under development are:

·       Enhanced tennis facilities in Draycott in the Moors

·       Potential improvements to play and recreational facilities at Jubilee Gardens in Forsbrook

·       Possible improvements to playing pitches at the Wentlows in Upper Tean