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Risinghurst Playing Fields Charity 1196270
Annual Report and Accounts for April 2023-March 2024
Location: Risinghurst Playing fields, Off Grovelands Rd, Oxford OX3 8HZ Sole Corporate Trustee: Risinghurst and Sandhills Parish Council
Trustees:
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 up to 13 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 and the chairman of the grounds working group. 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 took place on 11/06/23 which sought to involve and include local community groups and charities and to encourage fundraising for their activities and discourage visiting traders. A Fireworks and Bonfire event took place on 11/11/23 and traditional, noisy fireworks reintroduced for 5 extra minutes (20 in total). 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
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and Headington Youth Football Club as a fundraising opportunity. 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 on individuals, but measures to prevent ponies and motorbikes on the park were taken (by installing a kissing gate) in line with the byelaw.
Drainage:
The drainage continues to be monitored. Underwater springs in Olive Jacks Memorial field cause considerable water retention making much of the field unusable.
New hedgerow:
In spring 2023 a grant application to the Tree Council for planting a new 90-metre hedgerow was successful. The hedgerow has thrived and been maintained by volunteers with watering, weed reduction and checking the guards and supports.
Trees:
A third tree survey was undertaken in June 2023 to include a woodland by the allotments. Works have been undertaken by the groundsman and volunteers to address dead or unsafe low branches and trees. A tree surgeon has been booked for the remaining work in Autumn 2024.
Pitch Power Grant:
The Pitch Power improvements made an impact on the grass quality but made little impact on the soil compaction and saturation. Improvements works for overseeding, weedkiller and fertiliser with spiking took place until August 2023, but have been suspended pending an assessment and review meeting with the GMA, Football Foundation, OFA, HYFC and Pitch Power.
Machinery Renewal
An application to the Football Foundation was successful for a grant to replace the tractor and attachments. A supplier was identified, and the items paid for. A spiker has been delivered but the tractor and mower are still awaited. The Parish Council additionally purchased a high-sided trailer to support the grounds work. The Nuffield 4-25 tractor was sold to offset the costs after many years of service.
Pavilion
From October 23 to April 24 the sports changing pavilion has been gradually renovated. Using a community payback team to paint the interior, an under-sink water heater was installed, and the flooring removed and replaced by floor paint and vinyl for a more practical finish. Parish Councillors volunteered their time and skills to achieve the work. New chairs and tables were donated by HYFC.
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Accounts for Risinghurst Playing Fields CIO
Period: April 2023 to March 2024
| Receipts | Payments | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual sum | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Totals | £0.00 | £0.00 |
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