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The club currently has over 100 social members and around 70 adult and junior playing members, as well as accommodating four junior football teams. In recent years it has had to curtail some of its activities due to the increased cost of energy, but with the new solar panels installed the club will be able to stay open longer and provide more facilities. James Lewis, Treasurer of Netherton Cricket Club, said: “The solar project has resulted in significantly reduced energy bills which were our largest static monthly expense. As a volunteer-run club, funds are tight and the financial savings the solar power system will bring will allow the club to continue to operate longer opening hours to allow for more junior cricket and football. It will also open up some of our more energy demanding facilities such as the showers to our junior sides. “We are very grateful to Enovert Community Trust for its grant, which will help secure the future of this important community club.” In addition to helping to reduce energy costs, it is estimated that the new solar panels will save almost three tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year, enabling the club to operate with a near carbon neutral footprint. The club currently hosts four senior cricket sides as well as Black Country Health, a charitable cricket organisation. It also supports three junior cricket teams as well as four junior football teams, including two girls' sides. In addition, Netherton Primary School has independent access to the grounds to use for its own sporting purposes. Angela Haymonds, Trust Manager of Enovert Community Trust, said: “The Trustees are always pleased to see grants being used to expand facilities for new people, at the same time as reducing the impact on the environment. It’s great that Netherton Cricket Club can now welcome more people to use its clubhouse and grounds to enable local residents to socialise and engage in physical activity.” Netherton Cricket Club is located around three miles from Enovert’s Himley Quarry Landfill Site. For more information on Enovert Community Trust, please contact Angela Haymonds on 01753 582513 or ahaymonds@enovertct.org or visit enovertct.org
