'Fairy godmother' helps build sports pavilion (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Builder steps in to help Clayton Cricket Club

9:06am Monday 6th December 2010 in Clayton By Kathie Griffiths, T&A Reporter

Builder Paul Cornforth may not be a big fan of cricket but one cricket club in the district is definitely a fan of him.

Without the businessman’s help, Clayton Cricket Club would still only be dreaming of having its own plush pavilion one day.

Over recent years, the club has been struggling to raise funds or secure grants to replace its garage-like clubhouse and outdoor toilets with a sturdier more eye-pleasing alternative.

However, the club’s fortunes have been transformed following a chance conversation in the local pub.

Club committee member Damian Selby got talking to Clayton-born Mr Cornforth over a pint and when the builder got the full tale of the club’s plight he offered to help out by giving his time and effort free of charge.

Mr Selby said: “It was a remarkable offer and one for which we are extremely grateful. It was a bit of a fairy godmother moment.”

Mr Cornforth, who prefers rugby to cricket, said: “The rugby club had to move out of the village because it didn’t have any facilities and I didn’t want the same thing to happen to the cricket club.

“Basically the club is trying to do a £90,000 project for about £35,000. They’re going to pay for all the materials and I’ll be doing the rest. We’ve had the weather against us a bit these past few weeks but we’re cracking on with it. I’m just happy to help for the sake of keeping sport in Clayton.”

The club itself is now thriving with more than 100 playing members and it is building up a strong junior membership.

Mr Selby said: “Without Paul’s help we’d still be at the drawing board stage but we’ve demolished the old building, the digging out is being done and soon the foundations will be in.

“We just wanted everyone to know what a wonderful man Paul is!”