THURSDAY 1ST APRIL - 7.30PM in the main room of the SOCIAL CLUB, ASTROP ROAD. (Thursday before Easter)
Please save this date if you have interest in the outcome for the PFA, as we are appealling for as much public interest as possible.
Please pass this message on to all your club members, and all those who use and appreciate the village playing field. Notices will be displayed in all appropriate areas,and advertised within other means of the media.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Update on the PFA
Dear all,
As you may be aware, the existing committee of officers for the PFA will be resigning at our next AGM on 19th April this year, and will need a new committee to continue.
I have sent this message to you as I feel you may be an integral part or involvement in the playing field, and my appeal goes to all who are affilated in some way or another. If no new committee is found, then a decision will have to be made with the parish council as to its future and running as a separate committee. It would be such a shame if it were no longer a self contained association. However, I am fully aware that work on a voluntary basis is hard to come by, so I truly hope you can shed light on this matter.
My time with the PFA has to come to an end as I have to spend more time with my family - particularly supporting my son who has an autistic spectrum disorder, and I feel that he has not had my full support or attention over the last two years, not surprising really as the music festival takes seven months to arrange !! Having said that, I am more than happy to assist the new officers in any way I can.
We are presently finalising a business plan. What this means is we are creating a financial working document that , if followed, states that the association financially runs without loss. Unfortunately, over the last ten years or so, this hasn't been the case - although in the last two years we have built up the bank balance substancially after having successful music fests and fete etc. Ideally, the money from events such as these should be counted as bonus, rather than being used for the running costs, as no event is compulsory. You may also be aware that at present, there are no concrete plans for a music festival this summer, so this will be a test to see if the PFA is financially stable at the end of the year.
The association costs over £5,000 a year to run. This covers insurance, upkeep, utilities etc. Rents paid by all clubs who use the property will need to be adjusted in order to cover this sum, when combined. To hear this may be hard hitting to some of you - but unfortunately running costs for everyone has increased over the last five years or so, so you can understand that the funds would soon diminish if these adjustments weren't made. On a positive note, Middleton Cheney PFA are now a member of FIT - Fields in Trust. This is the national 'body' of recognition for playing fields and open space designated for play. They are on hand for help and advice if existance was ever threatened.
So what does involvement mean? - Being an officer on the committee shouldn't really take up a lot of your time when things are running smoothly!! As most of you know, we meet once a month. In the last two years we have created two sub-committees - one for maintenance - those who are key people in the upkeep of the property who report on what needs doing, and the other is a fundraising sub-committee, to ensure that 'bonus' funds boost the income. Chairperson works with secretary to ensure all paperwork is kept up to date, secretary also takes minutes of the meetings. Treasurer takes cares of all financial aspects, producing a report at each meeting, and advising where appropriate. A larger number of the committee is made up of those who represent clubs affiliated to the PFA, who also produce a verbal report at each meeting, if needbe.
I, along with the secretary, and treasurer will be resigning in April. I know this is a rather difficult position to be in, but unfortunately unavoidable, as they too have other pressing commitments.
I sincerely hope that a solution can be found and the committee can continue as it has done so since its formation in 1952 - even if a few changes have been made ! Please, please spread the word to let everyone know, so that anyone who may be interested can come forward. Please contact me on below
Home phone 712464
or txt 07930 204456
Thanks in anticipation
Kind Regards
Teresa Aris - Middleton Cheney Playing Field Association - chairperson.
Dear All,
As you may or may not be aware, I will be standing down at the next Playing Fields Assocaition AGM in April due to family commitments. After two years, (the first year as secretary and second as chair to the committee) we have very successfully managed to create a more stable financial situation for the association - after holding two rather fruitful music festivals (and fete) and we are now in the final stages of creating a working business plan to ensure that this continues. With this in mind, the PFA has every chance to apply for funding/grants from various funders to enhance the facilities for all those use the playing field in Middleton Cheney
My appeal comes today as the PFA will be in need of a new chairperson, along with treasurer come April. Currently, the committee does not have any persons to take on these posts, as most are representing their sports or social club. However, I feel that this is a perfect opportunity for someone to take on these roles who are maybe affiliated to a sports club of the village, or has particular interest in (and history of) the playing field.
Another factor is the continuation of Middleton Music Festival as no plans are made for an event to take place this year. This would require a 'key' person and sub-committee to embark on the challenge of preparations and arrangements for possibly the largest fundraising event of the village, and as this seems quite a mammoth task, there is always a whole host of people to help with the weekend, - it is not as daunting as it sounds!
Meetings take place once a month (2nd Monday of each month),and we are quite an amiable bunch! Anybody wishing to come along are more than welcome, either with intention of being a committee officer or in relation to a music festival, next meeting is on 8th February, sports and social club, Astrop Road, Middleton Cheney - 7.30pm.
Teresa Aris -Middleton Cheney PFA chairperson.
The Playing Field Association look after and protect the fabulous playing field in Middleton Cheney and we are always pleased to hear from anyone who would like to join us. We meet each month to discuss the way forward in order to benefit all those who have a connection with the playing field - whether it be playing football, cricket, tennis or just enjoying time with the family.
The P.F.A. is a registered member of F.I.T (Fields in Trust), receiving practical support and advice in order to improve the facilities. F.I.T also helps to protect individual playing fields – permanently - from development.
We meet on the second Monday of every month and look forward to your ideas and suggestions for the future of YOUR playing field. For further details, please call Teresa on 712464.