Cricket club opens new scorebox ...and are bowled over with result
A SWANSEA Valley cricket club officially opened their new scorebox on Saturday following a community appeal and fundraising effort after the club’s previous wooden shedlike structure was destroyed by vandals.
The story about how Pontardawe Cricket Club launched a financial appeal to try to raise enough money to build a more solid structure for their Recreation Ground base was featured in the Evening Post earlier this summer - and after a busy few weeks the new scorebox, made of breeze blocks with a metal roof, was opened at a sociallydistanced ceremony after the club’s final game of the season on Saturday, a friendly against Llandarcy, the club who play on the pitch alongside theirs at the Rec.
Pontardawe chairman Rob Pick praised firstteam captain Mark Jones, who launched the Gofundme appeal on social media, and local builders and businesses who donated their time and money to the new scorebox.
“Mark’s drive, determination and enthusiasm got the appeal going,” he said, “and local businesses and tradesmen quickly jumped in with offers of help.
“Builders Chris Hartland and Chris Evans did the construction work free of charge, and local butcher Bleddyn Howells paid for all the building materials and Pura Waste took away the remnants of the old scorebox, also free of charge.
“Dozens of individuals also chipped in with cash donations, which shows what a tremendous community spirit there is in Pontardawe.”
More than £2,000 was raised in a few weeks, which will cover the cost of a metal door, shutters, paint, signage and a wooden scoreboard. The names of all the people who donated are on a sign hanging on the scorebox wall.
Mr Pick continued: “We have named it the ‘DA Scorebox’ in memory of Alan Williams, widely known by his initials DA, a highly-respected member of the club who served as a player, committee member, umpire and secretary for over 50 years, who died in 2017.
“He worked tirelessly for the club throughout his life and it was fitting that his wife Ann, who is our current treasurer and scorer, cut the ribbon to open it.”