Cricket club bowled over by crematorium’s support
A local cricket club says it is bowled over to receive support from Herne Bay Crematorium which will enable it to help offer opportunities for people of all ages to get involved in cricket.
The Crematorium is supporting the club with a £300 donation using proceeds from its metal recycling scheme.
With the consent of families, metals recovered during cremation are recycled, and any money raised is used to support selected charities, local activities and environmental initiatives which benefit the communities that the crematorium serves.
Herne Bay Cricket Club was founded in 1886 and currently has around 20 active members in the men’s first team, as well as running youth training sessions over the summer, as the club is keen to grow its junior section.
Vice Captain Jack Stephens said: “We’re absolutely delighted to receive the support of Herne Bay Crematorium.
“This kind of partnership is so important to a grassroots club like ours, it helps us keep developing and offering opportunities for people of all ages to get involved in cricket.
“We’re really looking forward to having their name proudly displayed at the ground this season.”
Herne Bay Crematorium is part of Westerleigh Group, one of the UK’s largest independent owners and operators of crematoria and cemeteries, with 41 sites in England, Scotland, and Wales, all set within beautifully landscaped gardens of remembrance which provide peaceful places for people to visit and reflect.
Manager Damien Corlett-Oates said: “During a weekly meeting, the crematorium team discussed different opportunities to benefit and help our local communities.
“Crematorium assistant Chris Rootsey provided details of Herne Bay Cricket Club, which was advertising for support.
“After some further research we decided this was a great chance to support not just the local community, but also grassroots cricket.
“Like every Westerleigh Group site, our aim is to be a positive presence within our local communities, which doesn’t just mean supporting the bereaved when they need us.
“We also provide support by making donations to charities and other organisations, like Herne Bay Cricket Club, which themselves have a positive impact on the lives of local people.”
In return for its support, the cricket club will install a board bearing the crematorium’s name at the side of the pitch for the full season, which runs between May and September, and will then remain in place until May 2026.