a five-grand gesture

GRAPPENHALL and Thelwall Parish Council has agreed in principle to give a £5,000-plus grant to help a village sports club.

Subject to a final agreement later in the month, the parish council will give £5,323, plus VAT, to Grappenhall Sports Club to help keep its grounds properly maintained.

A council spokesman said the deal was ready to be signed but was waiting on one or two final details to be discussed with the club.

The grounds of the Stockton Lane club were previously maintained on a voluntary basis by a caretaker who lived in the clubhouse. Since that closed, the work has ceased.

Norman Bird, a trustee of the club, told the parish council: "Your help would greatly assist us to ensure these pitches continue to be maintained in a professional and safe state for sport to continue, and give the committee time to address the strategic issues of establishing a recovery."

Although senior matches can no longer be held at the grounds, a number of junior matches do take place with hundreds of youngsters using the facilities.

And the money will not just protect the short-term future of the club, but will ensure it keeps going until a merger deal is agreed with Grappenhall Lawn Tennis Club.

The two together could redevelop the site for the future benefit of both clubs but the sports club still needs to provide maintenance for the next couple of years until any possible move can be finalised.

The parish council will discuss the issue again when it next meets on June 24 and expects to make a final agreement then.