FRINTON Cricket Club have facilities to match any county ground in the country.

That’s the view of Peter Edmondson, chairman of the club’s Foundation Trust, following the official opening of their new £200,000 pavilion.

The facility, which includes new changing rooms and showers, is adjoining the original clubhouse, dating back to 1911.

And in hailing the facilities now on offer at Ashlyns Road, he insisted it was vital to have a set-up off the pitch that matched the club’s rapid progress and improvement on it.

“It was essential that in order to play this class of cricket, we needed to give our cricketers proper facilities to change in,” said the long-time club member.

“Before, when the game was over, we only had the bar.

“We needed proper changing rooms and showers, main drainage and so many other things.

“That’s why we’ve made this investment and in addition to men’s cricket, it enables us to promote ladies’ cricket, children’s cricket and also disabled cricket (a game for partially-sighted players has been played at the club and disabled facilities are now in place).

“By improving our standards, we’re getting people from all over the place joining. Not just Frinton.

“We attract players from across the district and right down to the outskirts of London, because of our facilities and everything we’ve got everything going for us at the moment.

“We already have one of the prettiest grounds.

“It’s beautiful here but the changes down the years have been amazing.

“The trust invested in levelling our outfield, so it’s not undulating, and we’ve got a square and outfield that would compare with any county ground.

"The trust also invested in refurbishing the practice nets some years ago.

“Now we have this wonderful new pavilion and we’re very proud that our trust is able to assist on viable projects that match our aspiration to improve the quality and education in cricket in this area.”

Edmondson was among more than 100 people – members, guests and friends of the club – who gathered for the official opening on Saturday afternoon.

And he was quick to praise and pay tribute to all the people responsible – from financial benefactors to those who donated time, labour and materials.

"Why were we able to put so much money into this project?" he said.

"Mainly because our greatest benefactor is Mr Robin Tomkins, who has supported the charity's objectives from day one.

“He and his family were very, very generous in recognising that the club needed serious capital expenditure to maintain its quality of cricket.

“Literally a hundred people have contributed, either by putting money into our trust, which was then match funded by the Tompkins family.

“For every pound the trust got £2, plus the tax relief.

“We’ve had so many other donations from members and friends of the club.

“So many people put their hands in their pocket or gave us their time and skills to make it possible.

“It was a real team effort and a community coming together and saying ‘let’s do it’.

“It’s true community spirit and a community success.

“Now we’ve got to continue playing our cricket at the top level and continue building more teams and getting more players.

"Not many clubs have got the support and infrastructure Frinton have, or, for that matter, a forward-thinking committee. Long may it last.”

The charitable trust was formed in 2001, to promote the education and playing of cricket in the Tendring district.

The trustees have chosen Frinton Cricket Club as the conduit for their capital investment, so that conditions and facilities are good enough to meet the charity's aims.

They do not consider applications to subsidise the cost of playing cricket or coaching. These fall firmly with the club.