OK, I've signed it as I do most petitions on NSC based on loyalty to fellow Albion fans. That said, please answer me one question, why should the tax payer help pay people to play cricket ?
Because £5000 per year, even to a Parish Council is bugger all, and a small price to pay to preserve 100 years' plus of village tradition, and provide a facility for local people to meet, keep fit, and encourage community spirit. That said, in such situations, I'm not against councils looking for a benefit in kind of some kind. Agree to continue the subsidy, in return for the club undertaking to provide evening coaching sessions for juniors in the summer, for example - that kind of thing.
Mind you, even the current £110 per match sounds pretty high - for the hire of a cricket pitch and pavilion.
I fully support community and sports. However ats time when basic services run by cou cild are having to close (e.g. Children's centres) and budgets are insufficient to pay for provision for the most vulnerable in our society (e.g. Elderly and disabled) I think you need to consider weather £5,000 for 20 people to play cricket is reasonable? I appreciate this is a smallish sum but if you look across West Sussex at all the village facilities for various sports and the costs, I imagine it comes to a substantial sum.
I would look at other sources if funding ( local business sponsorship/ donations and also learning the skills and dedicating time of the members to complete the work that costs £5k.
Don't get me wrong these things should be funded but not at the expense of essential services.
And before anyone takes it out on me - blame the current government and the finance industry who took our money!
Because £5000 per year, even to a Parish Council is bugger all, and a small price to pay to preserve 100 years' plus of village tradition, and provide a facility for local people to meet, keep fit, and encourage community spirit. That said, in such situations, I'm not against councils looking for a benefit in kind of some kind. Agree to continue the subsidy, in return for the club undertaking to provide evening coaching sessions for juniors in the summer, for example - that kind of thing.
Mind you, even the current £110 per match sounds pretty high - for the hire of a cricket pitch and pavilion.
Done. Spent many a happy hour outside the Victory watching the cricket with a pint.
Good luck with the petition
Not taking it out on you, but its the Parish Council who want the Cricket Club to brass up; not the District or County. Parish Councils don't fund essential services like children's services, provision for elderly and/or disabled.
Signed
Have you thought of advertising banners around your ground. We did this successfully at Wallington CC. Banners cost in the region of £60 and we charged £200 for the season. They also brightened up the place! Also with 20 members its tough but try a 40 club. £5 each member paid by Standing Order each month nets £100. £50 to club funds and £50 to the winner. Will net you £600 each year and the prospect of members buying more than one set of numbers? Also, try a good old fashioned jumble sale, we raised £250 doing one which was a lot of hard work but also a lot of fun.
Longer term I think you should look at lottery funding to buy equipment and send a few members on courses. We bought an old Volvo estate for £80 at a car auction and picked up some second hand gang mowers for £200 and they lasted for years before we had the money to buy a proper outfield mower.
A Race Night is also a good money spinner. Sell horses £10 each, eight horses each race = £80 per race x 8 races =£480 less £240 prize money. Get sponsors for each race at £30 a race = £240.Less £120 prize money. Then you have the betting on the night which usually brings in another £300 or so. Race night firms run the night for you and charge in the region of £200. You can even auction the horses for the last race which brings in a bit extra. You can easily raise £800 - £1000 with a bit of hard work with a Race Night.
My brother played for Wallington CC.
In fact even I GRACED your ground, for your 6-a-side.
I fully support community and sports. However ats time when basic services run by cou cild are having to close (e.g. Children's centres) and budgets are insufficient to pay for provision for the most vulnerable in our society (e.g. Elderly and disabled) I think you need to consider weather £5,000 for 20 people to play cricket is reasonable? I appreciate this is a smallish sum but if you look across West Sussex at all the village facilities for various sports and the costs, I imagine it comes to a substantial sum.
I would look at other sources if funding ( local business sponsorship/ donations and also learning the skills and dedicating time of the members to complete the work that costs £5k.
Don't get me wrong these things should be funded but not at the expense of essential services.
And before anyone takes it out on me - blame the current government and the finance industry who took our money!