Ampthill Town Cricket Club Crowdfunder 2024

About us

Ampthill Town Cricket Club, nestled in Ampthill Great Park, is a community-oriented cricket club, offering inclusive cricket and social opportunities for all ages and skill levels. From our 180 young All-Star & Dynamos from 4 - 11 years old to competitive play across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire & Home Counties for our men & women, we aim to foster participation in cricket, guided by a welcoming and supportive atmosphere. 

Our commitment is to ensure an excellent experience and fun, welcoming all our members and visitors to "Enjoy Cricket Together".

Our history

Ampthill Town Cricket Club has played cricket in Ampthill Great Park since the late 1800’s and is steeped in history. The club is amongst the largest in Bedfordshire and is well regarded in cricketing circles throughout the County and beyond. It is a Focus Club for the Bedfordshire Cricket Board and has achieved ECB Clubmark Accreditation.

Our ethos

Our volunteer led cricket club strives to encourage greater participation in cricket be it playing or socially. Guided by a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment our commitment is to minimise the financial barriers so that we attract people from a wide cross section of society, including a significant proportion from the less well-off and socially deprived communities.

Why are we crowdfunding?

We are in the final stages of our fundraising efforts to transform our 34-year-old pavilion into a modern facility that meets the needs of today's cricket community. When the pavilion was initially built, our club consisted of four men's teams and two boys' teams. 

With a wide catchment area across Central Bedfordshire, we now have over 200 members. Today, we proudly field six men's teams (including our new 4th XI with the remit of retaining teenagers & young adults), growing women's team, and ten youth teams, including two girls' sides. With an additional 180 All-Star & Dynamo young players and a vibrant Friday night social side, it's clear that our facilities need an upgrade. 

While we recently ran the ECB 'Get Set Weekend' with over 40 players, parents and children giving up their time to try and make the best of our current facilities for the current season ahead, so much more is needed to ensure our clubhouse can be both welcoming and inclusive.  

What's the problem? 

Currently, our pavilion's amenities are outdated, with cramped changing rooms that don't adequately accommodate the modern game. Moreover, there is no dedicated space for female players to change when participating in mixed teams. The toilet and shower facilities need total renovation and access for individuals with physical disabilities is limited. Additionally, the social area lacks the space needed to appeal to families and the broader community. 

Our current facility no longer meets our current needs or future vision. A recent burst pipe has only added to to problems and urgent work is needed. Our goal is to create a facility in the heart of Ampthill that caters to the entire community, from families supporting All Star cricketers for the first time, to retired players reconnecting with old teammates. We envision a welcoming environment where everyone feels included and can enjoy the spirit of cricket together.

How we’ll spend the money raised

All pledges and donations to go directly towards the costs of the pavilion development and making it the best facility that it can be.

Community impact

Ampthill Town Cricket Club truly embodies the spirit of community, serving as a place where residents of Ampthill and the surrounding areas come together to play, socialize, and connect. Situated in the picturesque Ampthill Park, the club holds a special place in the hearts of locals.

Enhancing our facilities will not only enable more members of the community to enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of participating in sports but will also elevate the club into a premier social destination. Whether it's watching a thrilling cricket match or simply gathering with friends on a sunny afternoon, we envision the club as the go-to spot for summer enjoyment.

Moreover, our vision extends beyond the cricket season. We aspire to make our facilities accessible year-round for community use, catering to various groups and events. By providing a versatile space, we aim to enrich the lives of individuals of all ages, allowing them to fully appreciate the exceptional location that Ampthill Town Cricket Club calls home.

How you can play your part

There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.

1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!

2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.

3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!

4. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser – maybe a sponsored activity or similar – use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!