A GAUNLESS Valley cricket club has launched a desperate fundraising drive to save its tea hut, which has also become a hub for children in the village.
Etherley does not have a village shop and has very few facilities so young people generally hang out at the cricket club where the tea hut is used as a tuck-shop for locals.
But the ageing structure is worse for wear and club officers are hoping to raise £2,000 to fix it.
Etherley CC junior coach Michael Smith said: “We are looking to repair the roof and if there is anything left over we will re-clad it.
“It is an emergency to get the roof done because it is letting in water.
“If we don’t get it done by winter it will be the end of the hut.”
During recent years the club has successfully raised cash to refurbish the pavilion to the tune of £80,000 and done work to the multi-games area and football pitch for about £22,000.
Mr Smith added: “We are now looking for football teams to come forward so we can get the pitch in use as soon as possible.”
The cricket club currently boasts an adult team alongside two junior teams for under 15s and under 13s who practice on a Thursday evening.
It is during these practice sessions that the club gets extremely busy.
The coach said: “Most of the children in the village come here and hang out on Thursday nights.
“They play football and join in the cricket. We have quite a lot of kids coming through.”
As part of their fundraising activities the club hosted a fun day on Saturday, August 3, which included friendly cricket matches, a bouncy castle, raffle, tombola and a barbecue for the village.
Anyone who can help the club repair the tea hut can contact committee member Kathryn Brown by email kathrynbrown555@gmail. com.
