Caerwent Playing Fields Association
NEWSLETTER
|
Spring has arrived at last - although you may not believe it from the weather we've been having. At least we've now got light nights, so that should improve things, and with the spring comes the start of our season of car boot sales - the first one will be held on Saturday 28 April. We don't know yet whether the foot and mouth crisis will affect us holding our car boot sales, and we won't be able to clarify this until nearer the time, but at the moment we are aiming for 28 April for the first one - so look out for the advertising signs.
We will be holding our own stall at the sales, so if you have anything you would like to contribute to the stall (all proceeds to the village hall and playing fields) please let me know, or ring Ray Hannan on 421033. We are looking for household goods, toys, books, pictures, gifts or small items of furniture (no clothes, thank you).
Due to the foot and mouth crisis the Dragon Sports tournament, which was due to be held on the playing field in early April, has been cancelled. We also have a temporary ban on all sports fixtures on the field. Although there is a footpath across the field, we are asking all residents not to use it unnecessarily. We are unable to ban people from using the footpath as it crosses a public playing field, but request that, in particular, people be responsible in their community and do not walk their dogs on the field. This is something that we would like to see eradicated anyway.
Please walk dogs on roads and lanes only, and keep them on their leads. This is a small enough price to pay towards not spreading the disease further.
As you will have seen over the past month the new roof on the village hall is nearly completed. The roof cost a total of £23,000, which is a huge sum. Although most of this has been raised through grant aid, the Playing Fields contribution has been £3,000. The old roof tiles contained asbestos so had to be removed carefully and disposed of in a sealed skip. The new roof is guaranteed for 20 years, so lets hope it lasts! We have had a problem already with youngsters skateboarding on the renewed flat roof (it's so discouraging for us when this sort of thing happens). Please, if your son or daughter regularly skateboards locally, tell them not to use the village hall roof. Neighbouring residents are on the look out and anyone seen will be reported to the police. We cannot afford to spend this sort of money, then have it ruined by the very people who should be supporting it. We have asked the contractor to spread chippings, or something similar, on the flat roof to stop skateboards getting a grip. We held our Annual General Meeting at the beginning of March, and were once again disappointed with the number of local people that turned up - only 3 (apart from regular committee members). We realise that nowadays people are busier than ever with work commitments, but so are we. Every committee member works, we don't have anybody on the committee who is retired or not working, and we make time to support the village hall - otherwise we would lose it. That may not mean much to some of you, but it would be another severe loss to the community if people just could not find the time to run it. We have the best hall in the area and it takes time and effort to keep it that way. If anyone would like to join our group and help support the hall and playing fields you would be more than welcome. If you are unable to find time to support us, then help in another way by joining our 200 CLUB. You won't notice it, at just £1 per month paid either by direct debit through your bank account, or £12 annually. You can see the prizes we pay out each month listed elsewhere - the more members we get, the more prize money we pay out, as we give away 60% of 200 Club taking in prizes. Please call me for details of membership. Yours sincerely,
Hilary Counsell
|