Carol starts it off !!

Work starts on the new £1m pavilion Councillor Williams cuts the first sod CELEBRATING the sod cutting of a new £1million pavilion for Moorends Stingers and Hornets are (from left) John Stewart, Club Secretary, Holly Green, six, Mayoress Carol Williams, Joe Green, four, Trevor Todd, Assistant Club Secretary, Coun John Walker, Coun Martin Williams, Michael Thomas, of Watford of Wombwell, and Coun Mick Green. Picture: Liz Robinson T0091LR MAJOR works to create a new £1m community pavilion for the people of Thorne and Moorends officially got under way last week. The first sod was cut at the Coulman Road Recreation Ground by mayor Councillor Mrs Carol Williams making way for main contractors Watfords of Wombwell Ltd to move on site. Among the plans, which are the brainchild of junior soccer club Moorends Hornets and Stingers and Thorne and Moorends Town Council, are an all purpose building consisting of a community hall and kitchen together with six state of the art changing rooms and showers, including Class A football pitches. Town council clerk Ian Harrison told the Gazette: "This is the biggest project we've ever undertaken. "We've maximised the area, it's very exciting for us." The Coulman Recreation Ground was bequeathed to Thorne-Moorends Town Council in 1912 and has been popular with local sporting groups ever since. Leader of the council, Martin Williams said: "We've been working on this with the Moorends Hornets for over four years. "When I first came down here there was some grotty run down changing rooms and I said we should get some state of the art changing rooms and a hall so it could be used, not only for football but for the whole community of Thorne and Moorends. "We're really pulled the stops out on this one. "I'm proud as a town council that we've been able to do it in conjunction with the other organisations." Among those funding the project are the council, the FA, Football Foundation, Helios and the Coalfields Regeneration Trust. Moorends Hornets secretary John Stewart said: "For the last five years we have worked tirelessly with the local council, FA, County FA and the Football Foundation, to help transform these facilties, to provide a better, safe environment for our players." Coun Williams added: "It just shows what can be done at a local level if everyone works together." The work on the pavilion should be completed by the end of the year and as the pitches have already been relaid it is hoped the football teams will be able to start the new season on the site. Plans of the new pavilion can be seen by visiting www.thorne-moorends.gov.uk   Were in Dream Land

The stuff of dreams Moorends Stingers and Hornets are awarded Community Charter Club status. Celebrating are Trevor Todd (left), assistant club secretary, and club secretary John Stewart. Picture: Liz Robinson T0093LR Published Date: 03 July 2008 By Stephanie Bateman MOORENDS Hornets and Stingers Junior Football Club has achieved what others can only dream about and that is one of the highest accolades from the Football Association. The organisation, which sprang to life in 1992 and now has over 175 players aged from five to 35, has been awarded Charter Community Football Status. And this new status has enabled the club to secure funding from the FA which has been the driving force of the new Coulman Road facilities which are due to be completed by the end of the year. Club secretary John Stewart told the Gazette: "It has taken us eight years to get to this point now. "Part of the application process in securing funding for the new pavilion was, as a club, you had to have some sort of charter standard in the aspects of running the club - child protection, first aid qualifications, and the future development of the club - we achieved that just under two years ago and the FA encouraged us to go for the Community Charter Status. "Only 46 clubs in the UK have achieved this, and we're the only one in the Goole and Doncaster area. "If we had not got the award the funding for the building would have been stopped dead." He added: "We have achieved a standard which most clubs can only dream about. "This demonstrates what can be achieved in a small community, with the dedication of our players, parents, coaches and many helpers, our club continues to go from strength to strength. "Our main philosophy is it doesn't matter how good or how bad you are, regardless of age or ability, come and play, we never turn anyone away." For more information about the club visit www.hornetsandstingersjfc.org. Whould you like to know more?

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