Although it wasn't without drama, reporter SHELLEY SMITH discovered a people who always seem to triumph over adversity

OUTSIDERS would be forgiven for viewing Rostherne as an odd little place.

For this quintessentially English village, which is home to just 130 souls, doesn't have a pub or a traditional WI group because it is believed the man who once owned it didn't want people drinking - and wasn't keen on women.

But it gets things done. Be it save a crumbling 1,000-year-old church tower or stage one of the biggest car boot sales in Cheshire.

On Saturday it was the turn of 20 volunteers to begin transforming the rundown village clubhouse into a shining example of community life.

The early birds were there at 7.30am to shift two tons of sand that were needed as a base for the patio outside the 100-year-old clubhouse at Rostherne Cricket Club.

It did not really matter when the delivery lorry found it too much of an uphill struggle to get to the clubhouse and stopped 400 yards away; they just moved the sand themselves - in wheelbarrows, a van and by tractor after rounding up a local farmer.

"We were going up and down with the sand for almost two hours," said club chairman Zainul Sachak.

But enthusiasm was the order of the day. Problems were there to be overcome.

"There is a great deal of enthusiasm here," said the self-employed business consultant who had persuaded scores of people to donate their time and materials for free.

"It is a case of us all mucking in and doing what we can to overcome any hurdles," said builder Brian Ogiliev, who has lived in the village for five years.

The second hurdle came shortly after the first.

"We soon realised that we had not got enough sand," said Mr Sachak.

"We had ordered two tons but actually needed three."

Mr Ogiliev, who owns Hale Maintenance, had, like many others, offered his services for free.

Donations will help to pay for materials but he has offered to work in his spare time.

It is a big job. The clubhouse needs a new roof, running water, electricity and painting. The cricketers currently use the kitchen area, but have to heat water using a camping stove.

Once the job's done, though, the clubhouse will be fit for villagers to use as a community centre with all the latest mod cons.

"The village has its own marquee, which is currently used for any events," said Mr Ogiliey. "But it will be nice to have a central meeting place that is a real focal point for the village."

For the past two years water has been seeping through the old roof into one of the changing rooms.

At the weekend the old wood, now rotten, was burned and work began on the roof.

The plan was to originally finish the job in four days but as time elapsed on Sunday, it became clear the task would take much longer.

"Until you actually start something like this you do not realise how much bigger a job it is," said Mr Sachak.

They hope to finish the patio this weekend but much depends on the weather.

Every window will also be replaced thanks to one villager who has offered to provide all the new glass.

This, though, is not the first time the tiny village has joined forces to make a difference.

Last year Lady Joanna Grey set the village the mammoth task of raising £100,000 within a year to help preserve 1,000-year-old St Mary's Church after one of the eight finials collapsed.

After achieving their target - without the help of English Heritage - she praised the power of positive thinking.

"I must admit that it did seem a bit daunting in the beginning," she said.

"But I truly believe you can move mountains with your mind."

On Monday Mr Sachak, 44, who lives in Hale, said he had felt compelled to help the village.

"The clubhouse should be a focal point for the village," he said.

"Rostherne is much bigger than just the one street and people need to realise that."

He found his first batch of volunteers by spending a day knocking on every home in the village. The willing then met in a house in the village to discuss the work.

"It was a bit like the Archers," he said.

Once the job's done, Mr Sachak hopes to mark the official opening - now planned for next month- with a traditional English tea party with cakes baked by the Women's Circle.

He also hopes to host a one-off cricket match between the team and villagers.

"Historically there has not been much communication between the village and the club and no one in the village plays on the cricket team," he said.

"But this would be the perfect way of trying to integrate the two."

If you would like to help with the work, donate materials or money call Mr Sachak on 07968 025730 or email zainulsachak@aol.com