Sports & Leisure Keeping AG Active!

Aveton Gifford Sports and Leisure Club was set up to encourage and hold activities in the village. Over the years a very active committee organised many events including the annual firework display, art and craft shows, sports events, annual fun runs and music events. The tennis court was built in 1986; Sports and Leisure continues to look after the court and arranges tennis coaching, and in 2013 it added table tennis in the village hall by buying new table tennis tables. In most years, weather permitting, there is an annual Fun Run put on by one of the parents.

At the latest AGM the constitution for Sports and Leisure was  reviewed, and there have been a few tweaks and changes. Principally, membership – S&L is a community run facility and all residents living within the parish are automatically members. There is no admission fee for this, although there may be some S&L activities or events when a subscription to that particular thing may apply (eg Tennis Club, or occasional use of the tennis court).

 

Aveton Gifford Village Show

An annual event  run by a small committee, and is open to all parishioners and children attending AG School. There are classes for all ages and interests- flowers, craft, vegetables, cookery, and a children’s section (and for seasoned competitors new classes were added in 2015), so if you’d like to take part,  the schedule and entry forms are always available at the shop  and are also included in the mAGpie  magazine centre pages  before each year’s show.

Football pitch update!

Thanks to a group of volunteers the goal posts and goal mouths of the pitch on the playing field had a complete make-over in June 2014. The posts were repainted, and the worn out hollows in the goal mouths were dug out, refilled, and then re-turfed.  The football pitch looked good once again , and with two new nets in place as well it was ready in time for the summer. However in 2015 the goal posts needed a further refurbishment, and thanks to Peter Smith are good for another year.

The Tennis Court

The tennis court on the Rectory Lawns is available for hire on an hourly basis; local residents can pay an annual fee which purchases a key to the court, and bookings can be made in advance at the Village Hall. Visitors and non-members are able to use the court when it is not booked by members – please enquire at the village shop to book and pay for this. The shop holds the court key, and also can lend racquets and balls. The cost of an hour is £6 for non-members.

For tennis court membership; forms are available at the shop, or please contact Keren Young who is the Membership Secretary;

Memberships ;  Family members £50,  Single adults £34,  Junior or mini members £18.

Payment and forms to Keren please, (cheques to Aveton Gifford SLA, or BACS payments can be made instead – please ask Keren for the BACS details.)

For all other non-membership enquiries about the tennis club, please contact John Harcus, by email please.    [email protected]

The lock is changed each year and new keys will be issued on 1st April,  so please could any keys from last year be returned with your payment.

The court was resurfaced in spring 2015. The work took 6 weeks for the surface to dry out properly, but was opened again on May Bank Holiday with an Open Day for members to try it all out.

During a storm at the end of 2018 the nearby Ginkgo tree split at the top, and one of the branches crashed down on part of the tennis court perimeter netting. It was temporarily repaired, but a more permanent repair will be done in the spring.

During the spring of 2019 permission was granted by the Diocese (the Rectory Lawns are still owned by the C of E) for a new wooden pavillion and shelter. This will be put up in time for the Church Fete in July, and will be a much needed seating area for players and spectators, and a welcome addition for the tennis club.

Tennis Coaching

Courses of tennis coaching from Tim Brealey have proved to be a great success. They were so popular that Tim continues to coach both adults and children in weekly sessions in the village. For further information Tim Brealey – 01626 833 985

Bonfire and firework display

This is held every year on the green in November; the bonfire and fireworks display with hot food and drinks for sale are all put on by volunteers. Entry is free, but participants are asked to make a contribution.

New members

The long-serving committee all stood down in 2013 after years of hard work – a big thank you to all of them. New people are now coming forward to keep things going and develop new ideas.  Sports and Leisure is well-funded, but it does need people – preferably younger people with enthusiasm and energy! There are meetings as necessary for the various activities, so do come along and join in with your particular interest; everybody is welcome. If you would like to help please contact Peter Javes on 559283 or .

 

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