Chairman's Report 31 December 2024 to 31 December 2025 Page 1 of 5
2024 has been a very successful year for the Playing Fields Committee, both socially and financially. We received record levels of funding support from the Fringe. Our thanks go to the Fringe Committee, as well as generous donations from other village organisations and private donors.
Significant progress has been made on our new development project. Awareness and engagement among village residents have increased through regular newsletter updates and local presentations.
TOWERSEY PLAYING FIELD DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Project Progress
As reported last year planning consent came with a number of conditions requiring specialist reports, many of which have to be approved by South Oxfordshire District Council’s (SODC) Planning Department prior to commencement of construction. One key condition is achieving a BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) rating of ‘Very Good’, ensuring that both the building and its surrounding environment are sustainable and environmentally responsible.
Specialist reports include:
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Detailed tree survey
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Biodiversity Enhancement Plan
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Surface and foul water drainage schemes
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External lighting scheme
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Acoustic insulation and mitigation report
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Sustainability Assessment (BREEAM)
Orders have been placed with all necessary specialist consultants, and several reports have already been received for assessment. Following review by our architects and TPFC before submission to SODC, some minor amendments to the planning consent may be required.
The Committee has held initial discussions with contractors experienced in constructing facilities similar to the Pavilion. Further meetings will be held before inviting at least three companies to tender for the work. When tenders are received and all the specialist reports are approved, we shall be able to report on anticipated project costs.
We recently hosted a well-attended presentation in the Village Hall to update residents on project progress and fundraising achievements. More events are planned to ensure the village remains informed.
The Playing Fields Funding Subcommittee has now formally started work applying for grants, working within the guidelines advised by our funding consultant.
Website
Over the past year we have, with the help of local web development specialists created a website, detailing further information of the pavilion and development project, details of the Playing Fields Committee members, Key documents, Latest News, etc. The new website is due to be launched in January 2026. Our thanks go to our web developers who worked for us on a voluntary basis.
Chairman's Report 31 December 2024 to 31 December 2025 Page 2 of 5
Site Plan
The Site Plan shows:
The car park extended to the west as far as the children’s play area. A new path connects the children’s play area to the new pavilion. The path is separated from the car park by new hedging.
The new pavilion is set at an angle to make the most of the view of the playing field and the children’s play area.
The new storage unit is located beyond the entrance to the allotments along the eastern boundary.
The site plan shows the approximate location of new trees (dark shading) and existing trees (light shading) to be retained.
Floor Plan
Chairman's Report 31 December 2024 to 31 December 2025 Page 3 of 5
The following images have been computer generated created from our architect’s drawings
The New Pavilion as seen from the Playing Field
The Functon Room showing the bar and kitchen serving areas.
Chairman's Report 31 December 2024 to 31 December 2025 Page 4 of 5
Use of the Field
We have recently been in contact with several local sports clubs with a view to offering training facilities for cricket, rugby and football. Talks are in early stages, but the response so far has been very enthusiastic.
As we currently have no on-site facilities beyond the field itself, we are considering renting temporary changing rooms and toilets until the new pavilion is complete. Updates will be provided in the village newsletter as plans progress.
Maintenance
Grass Cutng
Grass cutting is carried out by the playing field committee’s sub-contractor on a fixed price basis as and when required. The new arrangement ensures that the field is always in good condition and avoids ‘clumping’ of grass cuttings, which has been an issue from time to time in the past.
Children’s Play Area
Safety has always been a concern of the Playing Fields Committee. None more so than in the children’s play area. Our annual RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) inspection revealed some decay to the wooden posts supporting the Junior Swing. The Parish Council have kindly offered to apply for a councillor’s grant to fund the costs of replacing the swing. In the meantime, the committee have removed the chains and seat for safety reasons.
Wood chippings have long been used as the surface material around swings and climbing equipment. However, replacement every 1–2 years now costs over £1,000, and we are exploring more durable alternatives with a longer lifespan.
Local Fund-Raising Events
Towersey Fringe
Every year the Fringe, held over the August Bank holiday weekend is more and more successful. This year they raised a total of £61,000 including, an £11,000 donation from the Fete Committee and a substantial donation from an anonymous donor. Our thanks go to them all for their generosity. As always, all profits go to the playing fields development project. Our heartfelt thanks go to the Fringe Committee and the many volunteers whose hard work makes this event possible.
Progressive Supper
A progressive Supper was held in November, which started at Towersey Memorial Hall (TMH), then moved on to host venues for a starter and main course, ending up back at the TMH for drinks to wind up the evening. This very popular event raised over £1300 towards The Playing Field maintenance costs.
Chairman's Report 31 December 2024 to 31 December 2025 Page 5 of 5
150 Club – Once again this event has proved very popular with the Towersey residents. Three prizes are drawn each month and this raises around £2500 for the playing fields each year. In 2024 £2840 was raised
Donatons to the playing felds of profts from events run by other village organisatons
Race night – This was held in April and it was an extremely successful evening both socially and financially. The event was organised by the Village Hall committee who very kindly donated their profits of over £2,400 to the playing fields. Our thanks go to them for their generosity
Murder Mystery – Hosted at the Manor Barn and organised by Towcap, this brilliantly run event also resulted in a generous donation of over £1200 to the Playing Fields.
We are sincerely grateful to the Village Hall Committee, Towcap, and the people of Towersey for their generosity and enthusiastic participation. Your support is vital to the continued success of the Playing Fields.
Richard Duckham towerseypfc@gmail.com
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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Sectlon A Independent Examln•r'• Report Report to the trusteesl members of Towersey Playing Fields On accounts for the year ended 3181 October 2025 Charity no (If any) 1054125 Set out on pages Respective The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. responsibilities of The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year trustees and examiner under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given examinerfs statement by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fairf view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my examiner's statement attention (other than that disclosed below ") which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records I have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed: Date: aG Name: Al/0£ gJJ 1774 Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): CCIMh A cmh Address: 5 kLISL&e 6}nQ/Vs Teox)*IDOE IER December 2017
WILTSH ieè2 . gA14 IWJT Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examlner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examlnation of charlty account8: direction8 and guidance for examiners). Glve here brfef detalls of any Items that the examlner wSshes to disclose. IER December 2017