Skip to main content

Playing field trustees welcome new treasurer

The search by the trustees of the King George V Playing Fields in Congresbury for the key role of honorary treasurer is over with the appointment of Paul Short.

Paul, a qualified accountant who lives in the village, joins the trustees and takes over from Colin Edwards who has been treasurer since 2020.

Thanking Colin for his years of service, Les Owen, chair of the trustees, said: “I am delighted that Paul is joining the Trustees as we embark on the fund raising phase of the exciting project to construct a new pavilion and recreation club building. Paul’s experience of and commitment to sport and recreation at local level will be invaluable.”

The KGV Fields are central to village life and are a fantastic community asset providing sport and recreational facilities to people of all ages. The cricket, football and tennis clubs are all thriving and the prospect of a new, modern building with facilities for all represents an exciting future. Planning permission was granted recently for this new building.

The KGV Fields were established in 1935 under a trust with the core purpose of the provision of sport and recreation for those who live in the Parish of Congresbury. The fields were transferred to Fields in Trust and are administered by the Trustees of the KGV Fields, Congresbury which is a registered charity. 

The Trustees are also looking for other volunteers who can help with the new building project. 

“More local involvement is essential if the project is to be successful,” said Mr Owen who said that anyone who feels they could help in any way can contact him on email at les.owen@owenbiz.co.uk

Local News, New Rec Club

Playing field trustees need a volunteer treasurer

The trustees of the King George V playing fields in Congresbury, home to the cricket, tennis and football clubs, are looking for a volunteer to take on the role of Honorary Treasurer.

The KGV Fields were established in 1935 under a trust with the core purpose of the provision of sport and recreation for those who live in the Parish of Congresbury. The fields were transferred to Fields in Trust and are administered by the Trustees of the KGV Fields, Congresbury which is a registered charity. 

Under the terms of the trust the trustees consist of nominees from each of Congresbury cricket, football and tennis clubs, Congresbury parish council, St Andrews School and the British Legion. Additional trustees may be co-opted 

The trustees delegate the day-to-day management of the playing fields to Congresbury Recreation Club.

The role of the treasurer is to manage the trustees’ bank account, report on the financial position to the quarterly trustee meeting and prepare simple annual accounts for approval by the trustees. There are only on average three or four transactions a month with trustees net assets of some £5,000. Activity will increase going forward as the trustees will be the developer of the replacement sports and recreation building for which planning permission has recently been granted.

The role of Honorary Treasurer is not onerous and even with the increased activity involved in the development of a new building should not involve more than a few hours a month. Some financial knowledge/experience is desirable. The trustees use QuickBooks, a simple online accounting package. Training in the operation of this would be provided if required.

The KGV Fields are central to village life in Congresbury and are a fantastic community asset providing sport and recreational facilities to people of all ages. The cricket, football and tennis clubs are all thriving and the prospect of a new, modern building with facilities for all represents an exciting future.  Please consider whether you would like to be involved.

If you are interested please contact

Les Owen, Chair of the KGV Trustees

les.owen@owenbiz.co.uk

07902 874142

New Rec Club, Noticeboard

New Rec Club plans get go-ahead

An artist’s impression of the new pavilion and Recreation Club with the players’ balcony

Ambitious plans to rebuild Congresbury’s ageing Recreation Club as a two-storey, multi-functional pavilion and clubhouse have been approved by North Somerset planners.

A very rough cost estimate is between £1.2million and £1.4million giving the team behind the rebuild, known as Project Construct, two priorities, explains Les Owen, chairman of the King George V Trustees and president of Congresbury Cricket Club. 

The first is to develop more detailed plans and costs and agree the building approach. The second is to develop the fundraising strategy and plans. 

Project Construct already has a small group of people with building and project management experience serving on a development committee. Their role is to determine the detailed approach to the rebuild. They will also be responsible for seeking proposals from builders and appointing contractors.

“If anyone else in the village with relevant experience wants to join us, they would be very welcome,” said Mr Owen adding that the Trustees will act as the developer with all funding, accounting and financial control through the Trustees’ accounts.

A fundraising committee is also being established. Project Construct already has the backing of benefactors who have pledged significant financial support and is being advised by the England Cricket Board (ECB) and the Somerset Cricket Foundation.

Revised plans to rebuild the Rec Club were submitted to North Somerset planners in July last year following consultation with the ECB and feedback from North Somerset to initial pre-planning submissions made in November 2021.

The new sports and recreation building will have four separate unisex changing rooms and showers for both the cricket and tennis clubs for men, women and children to use on the upper level.  This layout creates far more space for the social activities of the club on the ground floor that can be divided into two so both private and members’ use is possible at the same time. It can also be opened up into one area for larger events.

“The new sports and recreation club building will deliver an important, modern facility in the centre of Congresbury,” said Mr Owen, adding that the trustees and the project committee would like to hear from anyone who is interested in helping in any way with this exciting village development.

You can get in touch by emailing newrecclub@gmail.com

Local News, New Rec Club, Planning