I have some exciting news to share with you all!
For just over a year, in my capacity as Chairman of the Lillington Free Church Development Committee, I have led negotiations with a developer to build a new church with adjoining hall for our site. Last month, the developers signed an option agreement with the church, to take the project forward and to underwrite the costs incurred by the church. The developers expect to agree a contract with a large building concern in the next few weeks and we will then go for planning permission.
The new church will be built where the front hall stands, with a new hall being erected where our hall stands. It should be large enough to allow us to play 4 matches at a time and will have interconnecting doors with the church so that the church can expand into the hall and hall users can use the church space when appropriate.
The developers are hoping for a possible commencement of February, 2012 and would hope to complete within a year. Upon completion the church will sign over the land where the present church sits, to facilitate the building of 27 affordable homes. Whilst the building of the new church and hall is taking place, the present church will remain and become the temporary home of church users such as our club, as well as the congregation.This year we had to raise the membership fees of the club considerably. The committee feel we still offer very good value, especially if members are prepared to use the club to the full. We have pledged to provide Saturday coaching sessions for all of our juniors, nominal entry fees to our club tournaments and a club night.
Until the season starts there will continue to be an adult club night on Monday evenings at Free Church between 7.30 and 9 p.m. and family club night on Wednesdays at Free Church from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
From the last week in September, the start of the season, we will be using Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights for League matches and we have therefore arranged to use the Free Church Hall on a THURSDAY evening from 7.45 p.m (we follow the brownies) to 9.45 p.m. as a club night. Attendance is covered as part of your membership fees (there is no extra cost) and we hope members will use it for extra practice. The first session will be on Thursday, 29th September.Tom Brocklehurst is drawing up a rota of adults responsible for opening and closing and I should like to give my thanks to those who have volunteered.
We are hoping that the new level of fees will enable us to become financially viable but we feel now is the time to form a fund raising committee to look at ways we can support members. In the new building we will want to ensure the floor and lighting meet with our requirements and it would only be right that our club meets any extra costs involved. We also want to maintain the coaching and practice opportunities we provide and this too will have a cost element.Tom Brocklehurst, Caroline Nicholls and Cherry Matthews are looking in to grant applications on behalf of club and are prepared to be part of a fund raising committee to work on the club’s behalf. They will be joined by another member of the full committee, Anthony Smith, who has offered his banking expertise. However, we badly need the help and ideas of other members and/or parents who have an interest in taking the club forward. If you are prepared to help in any way please contact me as soon as possible.
Our first club tournament of the season takes place on Saturday, 1st October at a new venue, St. Nicholas Leisure Centre in Warwick. Entry for club members is just £1 per event (you can enter a morning and an afternoon event, total cost £2). PLEASE support us. If all 82 members entered we would raise £164 for the club and you would all get vital extra practice. Details can be obtained from Hugh Matthews on 01926 314539.This season we will be running 22 teams, coaching 50 juniors, putting forward 14 players to the County trials and sending 14 more to the Leamington Cadet trials.
Good luck to you all!
Phil
