Clubs and organisations across south Norfolk are celebrating after receiving a share of £150,000 worth of South Norfolk Council grants to help pay for projects, including a cricket pitch and clubhouse.

Eastern Daily Press: Representatives from Earsham FC outside the old Princess Way pavilionRepresentatives from Earsham FC outside the old Princess Way pavilion (Image: Archant)

Tharston and Hapton Parish Council has received £40,000 to put towards its project to rebuild the village hall, with the money helping to pay for the outer shell of the building.

Earsham Football Club has been given £50,000 for a new clubhouse containing new changing rooms, showers, toilets, officials facilities and a fully fitted kitchen.

And Harleston Memorial Leisure Centre has received a £60,000 grant to help build a new mezzanine floor creating space for fitness classes, conferences and local community groups.

Fiona Lambert, chairman of Tharston Parish Council, said the estimated cost of the village hall project was £220,000 though she was hoping to get the work done for less than that amount, with the council seeking further funding from other sources.

She said a separate pot of cash from developers would pay for land for an all-weather cricket pitch, which could be used by local schools and cricket clubs.

She added: 'We are thrilled because it means that we can really move on. What we were hoping to do was put the fittings in this spring and start some more fund raising to put the shell of the building up.'

Peter Goodfellow, chairman of Earsham FC, said the £50,000 would contribute towards the club's £107,000 fundraising target for the new clubhouse.

He said the facility would enable the team to return to its former Princess Way home, which is currently not up to Anglian Combination League standard, meaning Earsham have to play their games in Wortwell.

'Without the money, we would have been struggling. Even this season there have been 33 clubs folding in Norfolk alone and we would not be able to sustain Earsham on a long term basis.'

Eric Bird, chairman of Harleston Town Council, said the £60,000 was part of the money the council needed to pay for the work to the leisure centre and a further £250,000 would need to be raised.

As part of the redevelopment, the centre will get the new floor which will provide four meeting rooms which will be completely flexible in size.

Mr Bird added: 'We are very happy to receive the cash, but it is only part of the money we require for the total redevelopment of the centre.'

Has your organisation received funding for a project? If so, email dominic.bareham2@archant.co.uk.