Cookham Dean Cricket Club Crowdfund to improve access with new patio area

Club chairman Ian Davis

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Cookham Dean are in the process of revitalising their outdoor patio area, improving accessibility for players and spectators and generally making the club an even more welcoming and inclusive place for members and non members alike.

The club, a recognised community hub, has been undertaking extensive improvement works over the past year, with money having been raised to refurbish the pavilion roof and refit its kitchen.

Attention has now turned to making the outdoor environment more suitable for a club that hosts a variety sports and social groups.

The patio area was initially configured over four levels, making it extremely difficult for anyone with mobility issues or a disability to negotiate its pathways safely.

Having spent money on its roof and kitchen and bought a new mower for its wicket and outfield - further eating into club funds - Cookham Dean is appealing for the community to help fund its outdoor patio project.

To this end, they’ve launched a Crowdfunding initiative to raise £30,000 towards the costs of completing the project.

They’ve also managed to secure a grant of £15,000 from Sport England, however, this is a matched funding grant, meaning they need to raise at least £15,000 to get the full amount from the organisation.

The club is confident these changes will enable the club to be enjoyed by everyone in the community for generations to come; while also opening up the possibility of the club hosting Pan Disability Matches from this summer.

So far, they have raised £24, 266 towards their target, and any additional funds raised through the Crowdfunder page will be put to good use around the club.

Further work is needed to bring the pavilion walls and floors up to date, while the club would also like to replace its tired-looking furniture both inside and outside of the pavilion.

For more information or to donate visit the crowdfunder page here - Cookham Dean Outdoor improvement project - a Community crowdfunding project in Maidenhead by Cookham Dean Cricket Club

Crowdfunder Update! https://t.co/ghCzbF7NMo #CookhamDeanCC #CricketCommunity #Crowdfunder #SportEngland #SupportLocalSport #ActiveNationhttps://t.co/4Ofg4MtZkq pic.twitter.com/72Hm44FfWz

— Cookham Dean CC (@CookhamDeanCC) March 31, 2025

The club is moving into its 145th year but has been growing exponentially in recent seasons.

It runs seven senior sides, and 12 Colts sides and is regularly used for training and matches by its 400 colts’ players - with 70 colts matches taking place at Ricketts Field across the year. It also has an expanding women’s and girls’ section that is going from strength to strength.

With 900 members, the club is also a focal point for the community across the year, but especially in the summer months.

The club is keen for its facilities to keep pace with its desire to be more welcoming and inclusive for all - but it is already used by a variety of groups.

Herries Primary School use its facilities on a weekly basis for lessons, training, and competitive matches. Cameron Denton, the school’s Head of Sport, called the club an ‘extension of the school’.

Speaking about the club recently Mr Denton said: “Cookham Dean Cricket Club is an important and valuable facility for both us and the local community.

“It provides us the opportunity to play cricket weekly for both coaching and competitive matches.

“CDCC has helped the school develop its sport and reputation on both a regional and national level, with the school recently finishing runners up in the Small Sports School of the Year competition.

“They do not just provide us a cricket ground to play on, but a facility that is an extension of the school for a range of events from sports days to jubilee parties and school summer parties. They are a true asset to us, Cookham and the English Cricket Board (ECB).”

Cookham Dean has also partnered with charities such as the Guide Dogs Association and is due to host two Visually Impaired Cricket Matches in 2025, once work on the new patio is complete.

Its community role is wider ranging than many realise. It supports many charity initiatives such as the Thames Valley Air Ambulance and Thames Hospice where club events have generated much-needed income.

The work on the patio – being undertaken by Thames Valley Landscapes – will create a more accessible and inclusive environment for the whole community.