Caerwent Playing Fields Committee

Our AGM was held on Wednesday 12^th April, apart from committee members, only 3 people attended. So, once again, we must presume we are doing everything correct and you have no complaints!

Unfortunately, we desperately need new committee members and helpers, especially for show day and car boots.

We have a healthy bank balance at the moment but have some essential expenditure in the near future.

Following complaints about parking we have an estimate to extend the car park, but at around £20,000 we will have to find the money elsewhere.

I have asked representation to be made to Monmouth County Council to ask them to pay, if not all, part of the cost. Phil Murphy is also looking at other avenues to finance this project and I have applied for grants, but we will have to wait the outcome.

One of the main problems we now have is the rent increase from Monmouthshire County Council, and the new lease they want us to sign with a huge rent increase. We understood we would receive a grant of 95% towards the increase, leaving us with only a 5000% increase. (Yes that is 5000%) but that would only be for the first year, afterwards for years 2 and 3 there is only a grant of 50% available and for year 4 a rent review with no mention of a grant. So we have no idea of what the future will hold. Remember we pay for all the upkeep of the hall and playing fields equipment, the electricity, gas, water, council tax, even getting the bin emptied. All this comes from the income of letting out the hall. The idea of additional functions and car boots etc is to raise money for the hall’s general maintenance and improvements.

So – if you want the hall to remain open it is even more important that you give us your support.

On April 22^nd we had our first Car Boot for this year, but had to cancel the planned wine & cheese evening, as not enough tickets were sold. We are planning to hold this event later in the year and will keep you informed.

Our last “Night Out” on 24^th March featured the Celtic Folk music of “The Hennessys” and was a great success and almost a sell out with only 4 tickets not sold.

Our next “Night Out” is  an evening of Ballads, songs and snatches from Gilbert & Sullivan - Saturday 20^th May, featuring David Chalford – Bass/Baritone, John Davies – Tenor, Marie Lewis – Soprano, Rachel Hickman – Mezzo and Susan Jenkins on the piano. Songs from HMS Pinafore,The Pirates of Penzance, Iolanthe, The Mikado and many more

The show commences at 8pm. We will be serving a ploughman’s supper and there will be a licensed bar. Tickets £6 and £5 for concessions are already selling well, and with limited numbers available, if you want to come give me a ring to book your tickets before they all go.

As always look for the posters around the village or give me a ring.

200 Club

The annual fee of £12 is now due or you can pay monthly, in the post office or by a bank standing order. We still have numbers available.

Please contact Lesley Evans on 01291 420327. Remember the more people in it – the more the prize money will be.

We hope to see you all in the hall soon.

David Hedley

Chairman

Tel 01291 425455

Have you something to include in the newsletter, would you like us to print a favourite poem or would you like to write a story? Do you have an engagement, a marriage, a birth, an anniversary or a remembrance you would like us to publish?

Perhaps you want to sell something or buy something?

Give Nichola Jones a ring on 01291 425377.