Latest news with #MouseholeAFC
BBC News
20 hours ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Prince William supports Mousehole AFC's road project
A Cornish football club's decades-long desire to replace the pothole-ridden road leading to its ground will go ahead following backing from the Prince of AFC had previously failed to raise the reported six-figure funds needed to build a new access road for Interiora Trungle William saw a newspaper story about the club's struggles and set up a consortium of businesses to fund its plans, describing it as a "privilege" to club's vice chairman Deryk Heywood said a replacement road had been mooted at least 48 years ago and it was an "absolute dream" to see it happen, while project lead Simon Taylor said without the royal's involvement it "would not be happening". The club said Prince William had read an article in the Observer in October and got in touch to explore whether the Duchy of Cornwall could help. Mr Taylor said he thought the first email from the palace was fake."My mind was blown, I was at work and I had an email and I thought it was a scam," he said."I called the number and I spoke with Prince William's private secretary, and within two weeks I was having a meeting and the project got well under way." The club said the new road would provide direct access from the B3315 to the ground and reduce congestion in the nearby village of Paul. It would also create opportunities for sport and community events and serve both its seasonal campsite and neighbouring Paul Cricket Heywood said: "When I was a player here 48 years ago the committee talked about getting a road. For it to actually come to fruition is just an absolute dream."The club's vice president Brian Richardson said the project had all but "petered out" until the prince got said some coaches had to park a mile out of the village and players had to walk to the ground before games. Mr Taylor said the club's supporters had also been "put off" by the road, which had damaged cars, including his own. Prince William said he was looking forward to seeing the finalised road."I have seen time and time again that community hubs are essential in providing the spaces for people to come together, to build stronger communities and to allow people to thrive," he is set to begin this week and the club said it hoped it would be finished by the start of the new football season next month.
The Independent
a day ago
- Sport
- The Independent
William gets ball rolling to help Mousehole AFC replace pot-hole ridden road
The Prince of Wales has stepped in to help a Cornish football team struggling with access to their club down a pothole-ridden lane. Mousehole AFC, located close to Land's End in the tiny village of Paul, were facing traffic congestion, damaged vehicles and logistical headaches for visiting teams and supporters. Football fan William, who is also patron of the FA, took action after reading in The Guardian last year that the most westerly club in the English leagues was rising up the ranks despite its practical woes. He helped bring together a coalition of people to solve the problem, with construction work due to begin this week on a new road. William, an Aston Villa devotee, pledged to visit the Cornish club soon, saying: 'I have seen time and time again that community hubs are essential in providing the spaces for people to come together, to build stronger communities and to allow people to thrive. 'It is a privilege to be able to help the local community access Mousehole AFC. I'd like to personally add my thanks for all the hard work that's gone into making it happen. 'I look forward to seeing the new road for myself as soon as I can.' The heir to the throne's private secretary Ian Patrick revealed at the annual Duchy of Cornwall financial briefing on Monday: 'These people weren't being heard. 'You know they needed an access road, and there was no one championing their cause, and the prince very, very directly decided to champion their cause.' He added: 'They were facing a serious issue: a narrow, pothole-ridden access road was causing problems for the club as well as the local community. 'So the prince wanted to see what can be done, and has helped bring together a coalition of people to solve the problem.' Mr Patrick said the new road would solve the transport issue, and also allow the club to expand while supporting sports, social and cultural events in the wider community. The football club is not on Duchy of Cornwall land but it is in a remote Cornish community that the prince – who is the Duke of Cornwall – wanted to personally support. The prince and his Duchy of Cornwall estate worked with CRH, a building materials group, to see if they could help develop a lasting solution. The construction, which also includes new parking facilities, is taking place at no cost to the club, after contributions from a number of businesses and the generosity of local landowner Paul Pond, who has granted access to part of his land. The new road is expected to be completed in time for the start of Mousehole AFC's 2025/26 season in the Pitching In Southern League Division One South in August. The Guardian reported last year that the club had been attracting talented young players from London and other big cities despite being located down a bumpy, potholed track. Mousehole (pronounced mowzel) is home to about 500 people, but its team is playing against towns with populations that are 50 times that size.
The Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Prince William helps stranded football team struggling with access to their club by fixing pothole-ridden lane
PRINCE William has paved the way for a stranded local football team by getting its potholes fixed. Work began to repair an access road to Mousehole AFC on Monday, which also serves a campsite and neighbouring Paul Cricket Club, in Cornwall. 2 For years the club has complained about its narrow pothole-ridden lane which has caused congestion and damage to cars. But when Prince William, 43, discovered the pothole crisis he drafted in help to repair the road - which will be fixed in time for next season's games. The project was revealed in the annual report by William 's Duchy of Cornwall. Simon Taylor, Project Lead for Mousehole AFC, said: "Within a week, I was in a Teams meeting with Martin Riley, who'd been invited by HRH to see what could be done to help fix the existing road. "Two weeks later, Martin visited the club. After experiencing the lane for himself, he quickly realised a full repair wasn't viable. "With planning permission already secured for an alternative access point, we turned our attention to the possibility of building a brand-new road. "Countless meetings, both on-site and virtual, later, we've pulled together an incredible consortium of local and national companies who've committed their time, resources, and expertise to bring this dream to life." The construction is being carried out at no cost to the club thanks to donations from a string of firms including private companies including Tarmac. The Prince of Wales said: "I have seen time and time again that community hubs are essential in providing the spaces for people to come together, to build stronger communities and to allow people to thrive. "It is a privilege to be able to help the local community access Mousehole AFC. I'd like to personally add my thanks for all the hard work that's gone into making it happen. "I look forward to seeing the new road for myself as soon as I can." The project will also include a new football car park. The football club and land is not part of Duchy of Cornwall property, which has 52,173 hectares in 19 counties including Cornwall. Simon Taylor added: 'This project is transformative not just for Mousehole AFC but for the entire area. "The cricket club will also benefit from the new road, and we'll now be able to host more events at Interiora Trungle Parc, turning it into a true community hub. "Most importantly, it will take matchday and holiday traffic out of the village, improving the experience for everyone. "I'm incredibly grateful to our consortium, there are too many individuals to name, but their support has been extraordinary. "Special thanks go to Martin Riley for his dedication and guidance, GRS Group CEO Jon Fisher - without whose project leadership we could not have moved forward - and of course to HRH The Prince of Wales, whose involvement made this possible.' Jon Fisher, Chief Executive of GRS Group, which is leading the works, said: "This project is a powerful example of the difference we can make when we bring together our national capability and expertise. "It reflects what GRS is all about, building infrastructure that improves lives and connects communities, and it's one of many grassroots initiatives we're proud to support nationwide. "Improving this access road will benefit the wider community around Mousehole, and it's something we're very proud to be involved with." The new road is expected to be completed in time for the start of Mousehole AFC's 2025/26 season in the Pitching In Southern League Division One South this August. Other firms who along with Tarmac helped pave the way for Wills include civil engineering firms ISC and Griffiths, Cornish companies Maen Karne and Cormac, along with Holcim Aggregate Industries, highway maintenance company Colas and national civil and drainage suppliers Keyline. Local landowner Paul Pond and campaigner Vice Chair Deryk Heywood have also been hailed for the work.
