Trustees are pleased to announce that contractors have now been instructed to install extra security measures at KGV. Extensive research has been undertaken to assess the optimum approach to protect the playing fields and three quotations obtained for the work to ensure the most competitive pricing. The perimeter of the car park will be strengthened to prevent unauthorised vehicles accessing the playing fields. Part of the new boundary will consist of steel hoops to which bicycles can be locked and we hope this will encourage visitors to use an eco-friendly alternative to cars and reduce the problem of congestion. New notices will clarify that the car park is a private facility for authorised users and will make clear what types of vehicles are prohibited.
The work is scheduled to begin in mid-December and we hope there will be no delays due to Covid related manufacturing problems. Our thanks to all residents for their forbearance during this difficult time for all but hopefully better protection for the Playing Fields is now in sight.
Some £10k is needed to pay for this work. EVRT will use its limited reserves to cover £3k and Trustees put in a bid for £3k to Effingham Parish Council’s Community Fund. This was discussed at the Parish Council meeting on Tuesday 24 November. The Council commented on the clear and thorough supporting paperwork – (this was the first Community Fund application under the new process) – and agreed to contribute a guaranteed £3k and, in addition, to match fund crowdfunding contributions up to a further £2k maximum. Trustees are extremely grateful for this commitment.
Therefore our objective is to crowdfund the balance using Virgin Money Giving, with this initiative directed at the generosity of all the communities which use KGV, and to include for instance the memberships of the main user groups and/or visitors from outside the parish, not just Effingham residents. Our Virgin Money Giving page is now live at https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/KGV and we hope people will give generously to invest in the future peaceful use of the site. Please let your friends know and spread the word.
The different routes of the fund raising demonstrate the KGV community of users and visitors coming together – part of the mission of the charity itself – and fosters a sense of joint achievement, to the benefit of us all.