Bentley Miners’ Welfare has improved its sporting facilities thanks to a £9,750 grant from CISWO – The Coal Mining Charity, enabling the installation of a new all-weather cricket wicket that will benefit local players and the wider community for years to come.
The funding, awarded through CISWO’s Recreational Facilities Grant programme, has allowed Bentley Miners’ Welfare to replace its deteriorated artificial cricket surface with a new ECB‑approved wicket. The upgraded facility will provide a safe, reliable and weather‑resilient playing surface, supporting more opportunities for training, matches and community sport throughout the year.
Bentley Miners’ Welfare has been a central part of community life since the 1920s, offering sport, recreation and social activity to more than 1,000 local residents each yea. Regular users include Under 9s and Under 11s junior teams, Balby Rec Cricket Club, and two local Asian community teams, alongside children attending Holiday Activities Fund (HAF) sports camps. Beyond cricket, the ground is also home to AFC Bentley Football Club.
The new wicket will support the continued growth of cricket at the welfare, helping to increase participation among players of all ages while ensuring the site remains a valuable community asset.
Nicky Smith, Trustee at Bentley Miners’ Welfare, said:
Bentley Miners’ Welfare has been at the heart of our community for generations, and this investment will make a real difference to the people who use our facilities. The new all-weather wicket means we can offer more opportunities for cricket throughout the year while continuing to provide a welcoming space for local people. We are extremely grateful to CISWO for their support.
Rick O’Toole, Development Manager at CISWO, said:
CISWO is proud to support projects that strengthen facilities in former mining communities. Bentley Miners’ Welfare plays an important role locally, providing opportunities for sport, recreation and community activity. This grant will deliver long-term benefits by helping ensure the welfare can continue serving local people for many years to come, and it has been a pleasure to support the welfare trustees and Bentley Colliery Cricket Club to achieve this.
Nicola Didlock, Chief Executive of CISWO, added:
Miners’ welfare sites remain vital community hubs across the country, and investing in facilities such as Bentley’s cricket provision helps ensure they continue to serve the local area. Through our Recreational Facilities Grant programme, we are committed to supporting projects that increase participation, improve community facilities and leave a lasting legacy for former mining communities.
The project is another example of CISWO’s ongoing commitment to supporting recreational facilities in former mining areas, helping communities protect and improve the places that bring people together.
