Heavy snow over the weekend did not deter a willing group of volunteers from beginning major clubhouse refurbishments at Old Elizabethans CC in Mays Lane, Barnet.

The project is based upon the ECB NatWest Cricketforce initiative which encourages clubs across the UK to develop their facilities, using the goodwill of businesses and lots of volunteer labour from tradesmen and club members to minimise costs.

The project at Old Elizabethans, also a football club, involved laying a 140m sq patio, new flooring in both bar and function rooms, renovating all toilet and shower areas, and building a new lobby entrance into the clubhouse.

Significantly, the project embraced key objectives of the Cricketforce initiative by "going green" and insulating loft space, underfloor insulation, using low energy light bulbs to reduce heating costs, and recycling the builders' waste.

The Middlesex Cricket Board said it was the biggest project being undertaken by any cricket club in the county at present.

Project manager Peter Goring said: "This represents the first part of some larger plans for development of the Old Elizabethans Memorial Ground, that we are hoping to implement in the future.

"We had volunteers from the cricket and football clubs; plant machinery donated by Blythewood Plant Hire; concrete donated by London Concrete and specialist labour by Erris Contractors.

"Despite the snowfall, we managed to start an estimated £25,000 of improvements for a fraction of the cost."

The improvements are all part of the key objective at Old Elizabethans to "create a sporting facility for the community". It will enable the playing sections to continue to develop and provide excellent facilities for members.

With the cricket season around the corner, Old Elizabethans Cricket Club will be hosting a club registration evening for adult and junior players at the OE Memorial Ground, Mays Lane, on Friday, April 25 at7.30pm.

Former England and Essex bowler Mark Ilott will be in attendance. To find out more about junior cricket and the registration evening, call Paul Barnfather on 07761 678535.