A community knitting and crochet group run by Durham Cricket Foundation has presented a handcrafted commemorative piece celebrating Durham Cricket’s first women’s team, ahead of the 2026 season.
The Crafty Needles group, which has been running for more than 10 years, created the piece during its weekly sessions throughout 2025. The work features embroidered signatures of all players and coaches from the club’s inaugural professional women’s squad.
The women’s team made its debut last season and represents the North East’s top-tier professional women’s cricket team.
Every element of the project is donated by the group participants themselves, from the fabric and craft materials to the refreshments shared around the table, with some sponsorship from The National Lottery covering the wider programme facilitation.
The Crafty Needles group meets every Monday from 10.00am–12.00pm at Banks Homes Riverside Grounds and is open to anyone aged 50+, offering a friendly and supportive space to knit, sew, craft and connect.
Many commemorative pieces have been created by members of the Foundation’s crafts group over the years including the 22 year banner, Go Ahead Northern banner, Darlington Building Society Number 5’s, Don Robson Ties, 25 year banner, 30 year banner, cushions, Chester-le-Street banner and the latest, Durham Cricket Women’s 2025 banner.
The Durham Cricket Foundation is the charitable heart of the club, rooted in the belief that cricket has the power to change lives. Its mission is to ensure recreational cricket flourishes across the region while delivering programmes designed around real community needs.
For more information or to sign up, contact Angela Sheridan at angela.sheridan@durhamcricket.co.uk.