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CRAIGMYLE GLEBE LIMITED CHAIRMAN'S REPORT 2008

The objective of the Glebe is to provide sporting and recreational facilities for the residents of Woldingham and the surrounding district. I am pleased to report that a steadily increasing number of residents, young and not so young, enjoy the facilities used by the Cricket, Tennis and Football Clubs with extended regular use by the Woodlea School children. Some 200 children are able to use the Glebe throughout the school year thus enabling us to help Woodlea meet Sport England's ProActive Community Sport and Physical Activity Networks' (CSPANS) objective of delivering at least 2 hours of physical activity each week. This should augur well for the future memberships of our three resident sports clubs.

The Tennis Club already enjoy success in their Surrey leagues and the Cricketers have joined the Surrey Downs League thus affording the younger cricketers the challenge of competitive cricket on Saturdays throughout the May to August period. Please contact Barnaby Annan (07818 065358) if you want to play league cricket on Saturdays or Bryan Carby (07834 468649) if you prefer traditional village cricket on a Sunday. If you want to join the Tennis Club please contact Pam Rogers (Secretary) on 652383.

The Football Club continue to run a senior side on Sundays and the local FA coach is still looking to develop a local junior side following the summer coaching last year. Please contact Ros Schwarz (652504) or Alun Evans at Woodlea School (712338) if you have boys and girls wishing to play football during the summer holidays.

Finances. For the first time in many years the Glebe recorded a small surplus of £168 after setting aside £1,800 to create a sinking fund for the replacement of the cricket pavilion roof which we are reliably informed will cost some £25,000 to replace and which we are advised will be necessary within five years. We are pleased to hear that the Cricket Club are closing in on their target of raising funds for the creation of new cricket nets, having recently replaced their sight screen. The Glebe has undertaken to remove the spoil from the recent pitch drainage scheme to facilitate this exciting new development.

In 2009 the Glebe will be celebrating its 75th birthday and the Council will be consulting with the user sports clubs a fitting celebration, probably over the weekend of 11/12 July when the cricket club's Presidents Match is usually held. We hope the residents of Woldingham will mark this occasion in their diaries and celebrate with us.

Finally I should like to thank my fellow Council members for their expertise and support during the past year. Fiona Rudd has stood down as Secretary to be replaced by Andrew Barton.. Our thanks to Fiona for bridging the gap and we wish her, Paul and their young family well in the future. At the AGM we shall be proposing that Mark Tapley join the Council as a director.

John Cox
Chairman
June 2008

CRAIGMYLE GLEBE LIMITED CHAIRMAN'S REPORT 2007

Fun, Filming, Finances and New Faces

The year witnessed two firsts for the Glebe (so far as this chairman is aware). Firstly summer junior football coaching on Saturday mornings for 5 to 7 year olds and secondly a televised spectacular early one Sunday morning. The junior football initiative was promoted by Alun Evans, head of sport at Woodlea, whereby an FA registered football coach, Chris Jennings, started football coaching after the Easter holidays and kept going throughout the summer. The MTV film promotion featured Tony Cornwall, the Sunday seniors' football coach, who was asked searching questions about team selection by his son "on camera." The spectacular backdrop to this event was the sudden emergence from a large van of dancing girls to loud musical accompaniment. Tennis umpire Jim Rogers presiding over Finals day suddenly found himself the only person watching, and hopefully scoring, the final taking place before him.

The Tennis Club continued to prosper mixing fun with no little achievement as the men's first team set the pace in Surrey competitions following an influx of younger talent. This enabled the senior men to field two regular teams in the Weald league in addition to the ladies and mixed doubles teams. The juniors continue to prosper under the leadership of their coaches Floodlighting of the third court was completed in the year. Interested in joining the Club? Contact Pam Rogers on 652383.

The Cricketers continue to host visiting teams wanting to play in the attractive surrounds which the Glebe provides. The Club continue to advertise for new members. Any young and not so young cricket-playing newcomers to the village will be made most welcome. The 2007 season sees both the Saturday and Sunday sides led by players in their twenties Contact Tony Seal on 01342 842693 or turn up one weekend during the summer if you wish to play.

Woodlea School continue to make good use of the Glebe facilities most weeks during all three terms. The school are doing their bit to produce healthy youngsters playing competitive sport which is great to see. Progress on the possible all-weather playing surface on the Croft Road tennis courts progresses slowly with all options being explored.

Football. After the "drought" of recent winters came the "deluge" with one of the wettest winters on record.This severely tested the new drainage system. The Glebe sits on heavy clay and whilst improved drainage had an effect the heavier periods of rain still lead to the cancellation of fixtures. We shall continue to work with our sportsground contractors to mitigate the effect of the heavy clay.

Finances. Income for the year of £24,630 (£23,323 in 2005) fell short of resources expended of £28,228 (£26,291 in 2005) by £3,598 largely explained by a higher depreciation charge on recent facilities improvements and a drop in gift-aided donations. I am however pleased to report that a recent generous gift aided donation by a grandfather, grateful for the play area enjoyed by his grandchildren, should show a welcome increase in the current year. Residents are reminded of the Gift Aid provisions (details on the Woldingham Village website) which can make a generous donation really worthwhile in boosting our resources. This year we shall be using £13,000 of retained reserves to pay for the resurfacing of the Croft Road car park which provides a valuable amenity for sports participants and Woodlea parents dropping off children to school.

New faces for old. This AGM we say farewell to Jim Rogers, Glebe Secretary and Tennis Club representative for many years. We shall miss his wise judgement and sharp wit. Martyn Taylor also stands down but has promised to see through the car park resurfacing as his last act for us. We wish him well as he seeks new challenges in the voluntary sector. We are delighted to be able to replace these stalwarts with Helen Brymer (Tennis Club) and David Wilson experienced in property maintenance matters and also a keen tennis player.

Finally may I pay tribute to my fellow Council members for all their unstinting support during a year which also saw our new Secretary Fiona Rudd celebrate the birth of daughter Phoebe. She is still trucking on - Fiona that is! Congratulations to Paul as well.

John Cox
Chairman Craigmyle Glebe Limited
June 2007

DANCING ON THE GLEBE

As that experienced Tennis umpire Jim Rogers settled down on his umpire's stool on Finals day, 17 September 2006 he became aware of lively music emanating for the Glebe recreation ground which not only caught his attention but also that of the Finals day spectators. Costumed dancers appeared out of the back of a large van on the Glebe, leaving Jim and the gallant competitors on court in splendid isolation!

MTV Networks had arranged a surprise visit to the Glebe, with full foreknowledge and permission of the Glebe Council, to film an edition of their new "Bustamovie" series scheduled for screening early in 2007.

The purpose of the series is to give someone the opportunity to ask a leading question of a superior on camera with music and dance background. In this instance Woldingham Village Football coach, Tony Cornwall, was confronted by his son to know why he was not regularly selected to play in the Sunday morning matches, too often, in his opinion, being consigned to the bench.

MTV Networks have agreed to advise the footballers and the Glebe Council when the shoot will be screened. Watch this space to understand Sven's agonies when selecting the England squad. Perhaps Tony knew something he didn't!

John Cox
Chairman Craigmyle Glebe Limited
November 2006

DOG WALKING ON THE GLEBE

The Glebe Council have no wish to restrict the pleasure of dog owners using the Glebe to exercise their dogs but it is their DUTY to advise dog owners that they must respect the sensible Health and Safety rules which apply to public recreation grounds and CLEAR UP AFTER THEIR DOGS. Many young children from Woodlea School now regularly use the grounds for healthy sporting activities and the 123 Toddler Group make full use of the playing fields during the summer months, not to mention the many youngsters using the nursery play area designed for their use. Woldingham residents are fully aware of the nasty diseases caused to children coming into contact with dog mess.

Cricketers' pleasure at saving a boundary with a sliding movement to stop the ball crossing the line and footballers emulating David Beckham's cross-field passes should not have their pleasure spoiled by the lingering odour of dog soil on their clothes!

DOG LITTER BINS ARE PROVIDED AND ARE REGULARLY EMPTIED by Tandridge Council Environmental staff. Please clear up after your dogs and use the facilities provided.

John Cox
Chairman Craigmyle Glebe Limited
November 2006

CRAIGMYLE GLEBE LIMITED CHAIRMAN'S REPORT 2006

Drought and Drainage

Water has been a topic of conversation for some months and so it has been on the Glebe. The Glebe Council are pleased to report the successful completion of the £12,000 drainage scheme for the football pitch and cricket outfield .Lateral drainage pipes have been set in deep trenches to drain the thick Surrey clay that used to render the football pitch unplayable after heavy downpours. The pipes now carry the water to a deep soakaway set in chalk at the lowest point of the Glebe recreation ground. We are grateful to the Football Foundation which provided a grant of £5,850 towards the project's cost. Woodlea School and the Woldingham Village Football team will now enjoy continuous use of the pitch during the winter months despite periods of heavy rainfall. Remember them?

Under Alun Evan's leadership, supported by the Community Football coach allocated to the School, it is hoped to start a regular junior football coaching facility on Saturday mornings. Please contact Alun (712338) or Roz Schwartz (652054) for more information. They will be pleased to hear from local parents whose boys and girls would be interested in this new initiative. Hopefully England's performance in this year's FIFA World Cup will inspire more youngsters to play the game.

The Tennis Club continues to prosper with record levels of senior and junior membership. Prospective new members should contact Gary Pollak(652033) or Pam Rogers (652383). The Cricket Club enjoys robust demand from visiting clubs to play at the Glebe. 29 of this season's 49 fixtures are at home on Saturdays or Sundays which bears testament to the popularity of the Glebe's cricket facilities. Interested in membership? Contact Tony Seal, Secretary, on 01342 842693.

The 123 Mother and Toddler Group continue to use the pavillion every Tuesday from 9.00am to 12 noon. The Group is a great opportunity for young Mums in the village, particularly new arrivals, to meet other members of the village community. Please contact Alison Waldron on 652359 for more information.

Finances
In 2005 the Glebe sustained an operating deficit of £2,968 after providing for £8,735 depreciation against recent capital improvements funded out of reserves. Improvements planned and already completed for 2006 include:
Pitch drainage scheme (Net of grant) £6,000
New litter bins 1,600
Renew water supply pipe to tennis pavilion 2,000
Contribution to tennis pavilion kitchen refurbishment 1,400

This expenditure will necessitate some £6,500 reduction in the Glebe's investment funds, the income from which contributes to the Glebe's annual operating costs of £26,000.In 2007 it is planned to resurface the Croft Road car park. In addition both the Tennis Club and Woodlea School are considering the feasibility of an all-weather surface on the Croft Road tennis courts to accommodate multi-sport use. If you are able to help us to achieve our goal of continuous amenity improvement by becoming a Friend of the Glebe please contact our Treasurer Kip Kypri (652032) who will be pleased to send you gift aid and bankers direct debit forms.

Council Members
I should like to thank my colleagues on the Council for their consistent support during the past year and look forward to their continued advice and assistance as we face future challenges.

John Cox
Chairman Craigmyle Glebe Limited
June 2006

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