Rt Hon Sir Julian Smith KCB CBE MP has visited Glasshouses Cricket Club to meet long‑standing groundsman Ken Hainsworth and discuss the future of grassroots sport in rural communities.
Julian met Mr Hainsworth at his home and at the cricket ground, affectionately known locally as “Ken’s Oval”, where Mr Hainsworth has volunteered for more than six decades. Even after his recently celebrated 90th birthday, Mr Hainsworth continues to maintain the pitch and facilities daily, following a lifetime devoted to the club and village life.
Glasshouses Cricket Club, one of the founding members of the Nidderdale and District League and historically one of its most successful sides, did not play a single fixture last season for the first time in its modern history due to a shortage of players. Rising costs, changing work patterns and the decline of village-based sport have placed increasing pressure on small community clubs such as Glasshouses.
During the visit, Julian heard first-hand about the challenges of maintaining the ground and the difficulties rural clubs face in attracting volunteers and players of all ages.
Commenting after the visit, Julian said: “It was fantastic to meet Ken and his wife Sheila and to hear about the dedication he’s shown to Glasshouses Cricket Club and the wider community since 1960. Clubs like this are about far more than just sport. They bring people together, support wellbeing and are a real part of rural life.
"Ken’s story shows the huge value of volunteers, but also the challenges many clubs are now facing. It is important that we help places like this keep going for future generations."
