Bertha's Bar: A New Innings for Whaley Bridge Cricket Club |
After a year of planning, six months of hard graft, and a £20,000 community fundraising effort, Whaley Bridge Cricket Club has officially opened the doors to its brand-new venue: Bertha's Bar. |
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The project, initially sparked by club member George Holden and supported by the committee, has been a true team effort. A dedicated crew of around ten volunteers, including Mike Madden, Josh Gibson, Jake Higginbotham, Dale Jones, Eddie Ford, Tom Heyes and Charlie Holden, coordinated the renovation, largely organising the build through a busy WhatsApp group.
Funding for the £20,000 project came from a mix of Derbyshire Cricket grants and significant local fundraising. The club resurrected the 'WBCC Relay' - where players ran between every ground in the league, and hosted events like their annual Funday, a bonfire night, and a golf day.
Local businesses also rallied behind the club. Main sponsors Peak Power Gym, TrustedIt Limited, and Charles Holden Plumbing and Heating provided crucial backing, while other local businesses and players sponsored individual tables, barrels, and stools. Visitors to the bar will spot these sponsors' logos and personal messages etched directly into the furniture.
But who is Bertha?
The bar takes its name from the club's venerable, now-retired heavy roller. Built around the time of the Second World War, Bertha served the Whaley Bridge pitch for decades. She became a beloved fixture at the club, often anthropomorphised (brought to life as a character) in match reports alongside her long-time companion, groundsman Charles.
"Given Bertha has been part of the club longer than anyone else, it seems fitting to name the new bar after her, and link a piece of our past to our future," a club spokesperson explained. There are even plans to mount the two-ton roller on a plinth outside the bar.
Bertha's Bar is fully open to the public. It will operate every Saturday during the cricket season, most Fridays for training sessions, and on selected weeknights for special events like pub quizzes and sports screenings. The bar serves draught Cruzcampo and Guinness, local ales, wines, spirits, and soft drinks, with plans to introduce food options.
With men's, women's, and junior teams catering to all levels, Whaley Bridge CC is keen to stress that the new bar is a community asset. They are actively encouraging other local groups to get in touch about hosting activities at the venue.
And as the club proudly points out, they now boast "the biggest and best beer garden in the Peak District."
For more information or to enquire about hosting a community event, visit whaleybridgecc.play-cricket.com.
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