STRIKING miners who laid the square at Atherton Cricket Club would be proud to walk through the ornamental gates which will soon open the way to Higham Park.

Now an appeal fund has been launched towards the cost of installing the wrought iron gates at the ground which is named after the late Bill Higham, a renowned club stalwart who in his 60 years with the club had been first team captain, club president, chairman and groundsman.

Mr Higham was in his 70s when he died on March 22,1981 having served the club since boyhood.

Now his nephew John Charlson, who is in his 40th year as club secretary is leading the appeal to raise money towards the cost of the new gates.

Mr Charlson told the Journal: "The old wooden gates at the entrance to the ground are unsafe and the replacements, which will cost well over £1,000, are being made now. Hopefully they will be in place for our opening match of the season on April 22 against Standish.

"The club has moved on tremendously since the 1960s, but it still faces an enormous task to continually raise money to maintain standards.

"To coincide with my 40 years as a secretary, I thought it would be appropriate to launch an appeal fund to raise money to provide a set of decorative wrought iron gates.

"I am sure, like me, many people have spent many happy hours at the ground and have long lasting memories."

The Atherton club goes back a long way. Founded in 1872, it changed its name to Howe Bridge then Atherton Collieries CC with the Collieries title being dropped in 1965. Originally matches were played on the Old Chain, a patch of grassland between Lovers Lane and the Atherton-Leigh bypass.

The present square was laid during the 1926 strike.

Anyone wishing to make a donation should phone Mr Charlson on 01942 874794.