The 30 existing iron railings that surround the cricket square are very old, unsafe, in poor repair and require multiple people to lift them before and after games.
Moving the railings, particularly for Under-nine’s junior cricket, is very time consuming and in the present coronavirus pandemic is unhygienic.
Burley want to replace the old railings with new portable fences mounted on wheels, which can be padlocked together and moved as a convoy.
“This would drastically reduce the number of people needed to move the railings and could be moved by one person pulling them on the club mower,” explained club secretary Steve Moorman.
Sport England's Active Together Crowdfunder UK scheme will match pound-for-pound all money raised by the club from players, members, the public and funds secured from other grant applications, which the club are making.
Formed way back in 1875, Burley are closing in on 150 years of cricket at their picturesque ground, situated barely a half-mile outside of one of the New Forest Park’s picture postcard villages.
It is a hugely popular spectating spot for day picnickers who drive through the New Forest Park and catch sight of a game of cricket taking place on a typically English village green.
Positive start
“It’s not usual for cars to be parked all around the boundary on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon,” said Burley vice-captain Kieran Hudson, whose club also fields three junior age group sides in addition to adult teams playing at weekends.
Burley, who managed to play a full compliment of games last season once the government allowed cricket to recommence, have made a positive start to their fund raising with £1,500 already raised.
To raise the money, the club has launched a crowdfunding campaign via its website www.burleycricketclub.co.uk and www.crowdfunder.co.uk.
Donations are being sought by club members and the public, which are being supplemented by grant applications.
This summer the club expects to have three adult teams at the weekend, a midweek adult team and to field three junior teams at U9, U13 and U19 in the New Forest and East Dorset junior leagues.
“The cricket club is a vital community asset as Burley has a high proportion of second homes and the club is the last remaining sports club in the village, and apart from the cubs is the only community activity available for local children,” Mr Moorman added.