The Government announcement in March 2020, which resulted in widescale social distancing and lockdown across the country, along with the ECB's announcement that all recreational cricket would be cancelled until further notice, forced Kenton Cricket Club, like all local cricket clubs, to immediately close its gates and call a halt to preparations for the 2020 season.
Originally founded in 1900 before moving to its current site in Harrow in 1921, Kenton Sports Club, which houses both Kenton Cricket Club and Kenton Lawn Tennis Club, as well as many other activities such as Zumba, Yoga, Meditation and Table Tennis, is right at the heart of the local community, providing local people with an invaluable source of both physical and mental wellbeing.
With no adult and junior membership, ground hire or sponsorship monies coming in, one local resident has taken it upon himself, in a heart-warming tale of community support, to step up and give something back - offering to help maintain the cricket club's grounds, under the watchful eye of the groundsman, whilst adhering to all the correct social distancing protocol of course.
The club is surrounded by houses on all four sides of the ground and neighbours have been using the grounds for their daily exercise, as many have access to the grounds via their gardens. One such neighbour is Neville, a local resident of 22 years, who one day arrived at the ground, tools in hand, with the offer of his support.
Taking up himself to clean up the front of the club house, by de-weeding the patio and tidying up the shrubs and flower beds, he has transformed the front of the clubhouse, without the club needing to commit to any expense in doing so.
When asked by the groundsman why he was being so kind, Neville replied, “I am bored at home due to the lockdown and wanted to do some work. I noticed the area in-front of the club house needed to some attention, being a keen gardener, I wanted do tidy the area up. I am working on my own therefore keeping myself away from others and it is keeping me busy”
Kenton Sports Club have expressed their gratitude to Neville for his hard work in helping the club out and have made Neville and his family honorary social members for life.
