Esther McVey hopes the world’s biggest cricket wickets set to be unveiled this weekend will help fundraising efforts by a cricket club cross the boundary.
Toft Cricket Club are trying to raise £100,000 for a new pavilion and teamed up with renowned Knutsford chainsaw artist Andy Burgess to do something a bit different.
Andy has created the 8.5 metre sculpture - smashing the current record of 8 metres held by the Aussies.
Ms McVey said: “What started out with a conversation between a few friends over some drinks in the Dun Cow pub has definitely put Toft CC on the map! Everyone is going to be talking about this, you literally cannot miss them – they even have their own Trip Advisor page! This really has been a community effort.
“It was an honour to be invited down and see the work before it is officially unveiled and talk about how this quirky idea became a reality. Andy, with some help from tree experts, has achieved something quite spectacular.”
Toft Cricket Club hope the unique artwork by will help secure them the needed cash to re-build its current crumbling pavilion in time for its centenary in 2028. The club say the new pavilion would set them up for the next 100 years.
It will be on display at the club throughout the summer before the bails will be ceremonially burned, creating the world's biggest ashes on bonfire night.
Ms McVey added: “It is quite the talking point and everyone I tell about it are very impressed. None more so than former Yorkshire cricketer and world famous umpire Dickie Bird who I saw at the weekend, and he gave it the finger of approval – and I hope everyone else will too. Let’s all try and get this fundraiser over the boundary. If anyone is able to donate, I know it will be greatly appreciated.”
A crowdfunding page has been set up by the club www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/the-worlds-biggest-wickets
