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Risinghurst Playing Fields Charity 1196270
Annual Report and Accounts for October 2021 to March 2023
Location: Risinghurst Playing fields, Off Grovelands Rd, Oxford OX3 8HZ Sole Corporate Trustee: Risinghurst and Sandhills Parish Council
Trustees:
Initially 5 trustees who were elected Parish Councillors were appointed. Subsequently, the Parish Council sought to become the sole Corporate Trustee to reduce the pressure on individuals. Only elected and co-opted Parish Councillors form the trustee group for the CIO. On election/co-option they automatically are entitled to be trustees until the day of their leaving public office.
Structure:
A constitution is available. From July 2022 a management agreement is in place with Risinghurst and Sandhills Parish Council for the day-to-day management of both the playing fields and the finances.
Objectves:
The objective of the charity is to promote for the benefit of the inhabitants of Risinghurst and Sandhills and the surrounding area the provision of facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances or for the public at large in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving the condition of life of the said inhabitants.
Actvites:
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Two sports clubs have their home at Risinghurst playing field. Risinghurst Cricket Club have played there for at least 50 years. In recent years, players have come from a wide area, and the club are being encouraged to recruit local players to benefit local residents. Headington Youth Football Club have been based there since 2017 and run 12 teams of young players (7 to 17 years old).
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There is a woodland, and a play area in Olive Jacks Memorial field, along with the two main sports fields. The top end is currently left fallow and mown annually until it is required to be brought back into use.
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Residents use the park for recreational walking, jogging, exercise, play, informal games, picnics, meet and chats with friends and neighbours, and dog-walking is very popular. Volunteering takes place every Thursday morning, led by the groundsman. This grew with a change of staff and new volunteers contributing their expertise, including the formation of a Grounds Working Group and volunteer chairman with expertise in grounds management. The team have led significant improvements to the workshops, woodland, sports fields and playing fields.
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The park is used for two public events. A summer fete in June each year, and a Fireworks and Bonfire event in November. These were cancelled in 2020 -2021 due to the covid pandemic. The fete returned in 2022 with a Platinum Jubilee theme, and in 2023 had a new committee of Parish Councillors to organise the
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event with a commitment to encouraging local charities and community groups to provide stalls and benefit from any fundraising. The Fireworks and Bonfire event returned in November 2021 and 2022, warmly welcomed by residents. This event uses a professional pyrotechnics team for safety and the quality of display, with food drink and toys being provided by the Sandhills School PTA and Headington Youth Football Club as a fundraising opportunity. “Quiet” fireworks were trialled for 2 years but proved not to be quiet enough for those who hoped for silent explosions, and disappointing for those who enjoy the sounds of the explosions. They were successful, safe and happy events.
Byelaw:
A byelaw came into force in October 1955 banning defacing, damaging or removing any item. It also bans cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, beasts of burden, vehicle truck or barrow or preventing any Council officer from doing their work. Dogs must be kept under control, missiles should not endanger anyone else, and park users should respect the quiet enjoyment of others. It is not allowed to go into the water of the ditches or pond, nor to harm any living creature in them. Foul language is not allowed. Offenses are subject to a £2.00 fine. This has never been enforced.
In December 2021 a kissing gate was installed to prevent people riding motorbikes and ponies onto the field to access the Shotover footpath. This had frightened pedestrians and polite requests to desist had not been effective. This was done with the co-operation and partnership of the neighbouring landowner and Oxfordshire County Council.
Drainage:
Following a survey by White Horse contractors in 2020, an initial clearing of ditches and installing a diagonal pipe across the lower sports pitch was done. In November 2021 new drainage ditches were dug or re-opened along the top field, through the woodland and re-opening the pond, and finally along the bottom of Olive Jacks Memorial field. The pond was filled in 30-40 years ago causing saturation in the woodland which was damaging the health of the trees. It is hoped this will encourage biodiversity and the return of species of newts and frogs to the pond area.
New hedgerow:
In spring 2023 a grant application to the Tree Council for planting a new hedgerow was successful. This involved planting 90 metres of mixed English hedgerow with 5 types of plant: Crataegus monogyna, Betula pendula, Alnus glutinosa, Carpinus betulus, and Fagus sylvatica. There are 5 of each type of tree (Acer campestre and Quercus robur) at 10 metres intervals. This was achieved by the grounds working group with volunteers, residents, Parish Councillors and a community payback team.
Trees:
A second tree survey was undertaken in April 2020 and during the reporting period, the recommended works were undertaken to prune and remove dead trees and branches to encourage a healthy woodland and park.
Pitch Power Grant
Through Oxfordshire Football Association, in July 2021 a service level agreement was signed with Headington Youth Football Team to facilitate a pitch improvement grant from the Football Foundation. They have a commitment to making pitch improvements with fertilizer, herbicide and tining and to monitor the effectiveness of the work.
Equipment:
A new Quadraplay was purchased in March 23 to help with spiking and to groom the turf after games.
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Accounts for Risinghurst Playing Fields CIO
Period: October 2021 to March 2022
| Receipts | Payments | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual sum | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Totals | £0.00 | £0.00 |
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Accounts for Risinghurst Playing Fields CIO
Period: April 2022 to March 2023
| Receipts | Payments | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual sum | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Totals | £0.00 | £0.00 |
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