We have today taken possession of the land at the junction of Shutts Lane and Monyash Road for the provision of two pitches, a training area and a Welfare Building. This is an historic moment in the history of Mannerians as we enter our 90th year. It is the first time ever that we will be able to have a ground that we can call our own. It does however come at a time when the Club is going through a tough period on all playing levels, Senior, Junior and Minis and a real concerted effort will be needed to boost numbers. We do however have the support of the RFU and hopefully the acquisition of the ground and a rekindled effort to forge better links with the school will help in this respect.

Planning Application and Decision can be found on Peak Park website at NP/DDD/0917/0934

The project will be a huge commitment for Club with initial estimates for the pitches alone in the region of £200,000 !!!!!

Our resources are limited so we will be relying heavily on public grants, private sponsorship and the goodwill and potential hard work of club members. Several people have already offered their help and expertise in this respect which is great but we need more.

On the practical side, there are fences to put up, pitches to level, drains to lay, sand to be put down, grass to sow and a wood clad Welfare building to be erected to provide storage, toilet and first aid facilities together with a kitchen area and area where parents, spectators and children can shelter from the elements…….another first and very much needed facility. (Changing facilities will remain at the school).

On the financial side, we are in the process of exploring the availability of any grants that may be available to us, but we will also be in need of as much private sponsorship as possible so any help, suggestions, or contacts that can be provided in this respect and any of the above would be invaluable.

The Club will also need to restructure with an enormous amount of work needed to be shared out and not left to rest on just a few as it has done in the past. New positions will be created along the lines of officers and sub committees to deal with, grants, sponsorships, marketing, publicity and social media, vice presidents, merchandising and kit, facilities, subscriptions and match fees, amongst several others.

If you feel you can contribute in any way please let myself (djb5bcm@aol.com) or Tim (the.garden.room@talk21.com) know or better still turn up at the AGM on the 14th and hear about the proposals and make your views known!!. A couple of people have already put themselves forward, but the more the merrier!!!

With hopefully a new era approaching I feel we need some new representation at the top so will be passing on the baton of President this year, but will be still be similarly involved in the nitty gritty of running the club if re elected onto Committee. I propose to put forward Jim Hollingworth as the new President, my old second row partner and someone who has been involved with the Club for many years, been one of our main sponsors and can bring a fresh approach to the role of President.

Hope to hear from you and hopefully see you at the AGM!

Regards
Denzil

Denzil Bowyer
President
Bakewell Mannerians RUFC