Sports Club News 2008

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A word from the Chair
By Wendy Morris (Belper Meadows Sports Club Chairperson) Email: wendypmorris@tiscali.co.uk
As you may be aware, Tesco held a public presentation/consultation at Belper Town Football Club on Thursday 25th and Friday 26th July regarding their proposed development. I therefore felt it was appropriate to update you as to the Club’s situation.
To recap, longstanding members will remember that in 2000 the then Sports Club Executive Committee set up a ‘project development’ sub committee to look at what improvements were required to the facilities to move us forward into the 21st century. The principle concern at the time was the deteriorating state of the tennis/bowls pavilion, and the need for additional changing/toilets to support the Astroturf. The Bowls’ section requested some floodlighting, and the Cricket section required a second cricket ground to accommodate their increasing numbers.
Following a successful lottery bid by Belper Rugby Club, we decided to ask their consultant, Geoff Parsons, to investigate funding for this project. We asked club member and architect, Liz walker, to draw up some plans, and we applied for and were granted planning permission in 2003 for a new building to replace the tennis/bowls pavilion and extend changing facilities to the main pavilion. We also spoke to Amber Valley Borough Council regarding renting land from them for a second cricket pitch, behind our current ground. They agreed to this in principle, if, and when, they acquired the land leading down to the  river from the Strutt Estate (King Airloch Trust)-they were wanting this land as part of their plan to create a river walk in the area.
Geoff Parsons was in the process of submitting our lottery application when, in late 2003, we learned that Tesco had acquired land on Derwent Street. Unfortunately, the way lottery money was allocated changed  at about the same time, such that Geoff found that we suddenly had no option of obtaining lottery funding, and once other grant agencies became aware that Tesco was planning to fund an access road through our site, informed Geoff that we were no longer eligible for funding from them.
Since 2000, we have been trying to raise funds and set aside our own monies to improve facilities without grant aid (events such as the Bonfire nights, Easter Hockey Tournaments and Car Boot sales). Due to new legislations, we find ourselves unable to meet Health and Hygiene regulations in the kitchen, unable to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act, or the Children’s Act (providing separate changing for under 18’s), and have had facilities deteriorate further due to wear and tear. The cost of bringing the present facilities up to standard runs into hundreds of thousands of pounds, which we simply don’t have. We have bought ourselves some time with the authorities who maintain these regulations, but we are at risk of being closed down if we do not do something to bring ourselves up to these standards soon.
Tesco approached us in late 2003/early 2004 regarding what their intentions were if they were given planning permission to put an access road over our site. They told us they would want a road through the top of our site at the boundary with the old Thornton’s factory, through the existing main pavilion, down the current slope, along the back of our car park, and out the gate, to continue along the back of Belper Town Football Club’s ground, and out at the triangle.
We asked Geoff Parsons at that point to investigate what kind of compensation we would be entitled to should permission be granted for this. With this figure in mind, he then advised us to prepare a ‘wish list’ of improvements we would want if planning were granted.
In 2006, when Geoff Parsons felt he was not the best person to take us further, we approached Ian Beardmore (solicitor) and through him Steve Salloway (commercial agent), to negotiate with Tesco representatives to achieve the best possible compensation package if things went ahead. Steve has been able to obtain a verbal agreement for what is known as a ‘Heads of Terms’-basically our ‘wish list’ for compensation. You will recall this ‘list’ was presented at the 2007 AGM. Steve feels this is a generous compensation package.
Notwithstanding this, we have frequently pointed out to Tesco that they have ‘blighted’ us for the past 4 years, as their presence has prevented us from obtaining funding from other sources to keep us up to legal requirements. We therefore expect compensation from them WHETHER OR NOT THEY OBTAIN PLANNING PERMISSION, for holding our development back several years. They have agreed to give us an ‘interim’ compensation package, to help us meet the legal standards we would have achieved prior to now had they not been on the scene. This will include a new kitchen, disabled and ladies toilets and extra changing facilities on the main pavilion, and improvements to the tennis/bowls pavilion, which we hope, can be carried out immediately. If planning is NOT granted, we would at least have a basis on which we can operate in the future. If planning IS granted, these works will keep us going until any new facilities are constructed.
Aside from the whole ‘Tesco’ issue, it was recognised at the inception of the Project Development Committee in 2000, that if we were to improve our present facilities and site, the way in which we finance and run the Club will have to be reviewed. Geoff Parsons had advised us in 2002 that we would need to ‘slim down’ the then Executive Committee, which led to the formation of our present Management Committee. He also advised us that the site would need better day to day management should any new facilities be built.
Expectations of all sections have increased year on year. Regulations and requirements have also increased. Consequently, the running costs of the club and the legal liabilities are much higher than they have ever been. It is therefore the duty of the Club to manage these required changes for the good of all members and the Community, while underwriting the risk incurred by the Club. Standing still is not an option if we want our Sports Club to evolve and exist in another 100 years. We now need to think carefully about how we manage the use of our existing, and any future facilities, to maximise external funds and help subsidise the growing needs of each section.
I hope this clarifies our situation at this point.
Yours in Sport
Wendy Morris

Belper Hockey Club Dinner Dance 2007
The Belper HC annual dinner dance was held on Saturday 21st April, 2007 at Derby County Football Club, Pride Park, Derby. With over 150 club members and guests attending it was a night of celebration. With so much to celebrate in a season that saw many highlights with recognition of players from both sections being selected for England at various ages - well done to all and good luck to all those leaving us for uni this season. Men's clubman of the year was awarded to Roger Carter and Ladies club person of the year went to Christine Hallsworth - congratulations to them both. Yet again the drink flowed and the dancing was 'interesting' to say the least! The ladies looked lovely in an assorted of evening gowns with the men looking good in their tuxes (a special mention to Dan Mill's Pink bow! - very fetching). A good opportunity to thank Emily (ladies 3rds) for all the organising and stepping in to help me out - really appreciated and a great job! Everyone had a fantastic night and a great opportunity for everyone to get to know other players from different sections. Quite a few of you had cameras so please send in your pictures to share with everyone and have a great summer.