Another week passes without our live football fix at The Meadow, and it is looking increasingly unlikely that we will see a resumption of league action this season, although our latest understanding is that the Leagues are going to hold back on any formal decision until the latest Boris Johnson update on February 22nd, it is therefore a case of watch this space.
This past week has been another busy one with meetings and Zoom Calls. The finance team and I have made tentative steps in forecasting the funds and cashflow for the next 18 months and the proposal will be put to the Board at the Directors meeting to be held soon. We have been successful in obtaining the Winter Grant available to our level of football (Step 3) to level 6. We did not get the maximum and I defy any club being able to do so. But we have gained a good contribution to stay alive for the next 3 months at least!
I must say a special thank you to Neil Calder who continually works behind the scenes managing the clubs cashflow budget and acting as a permanent reminder to me as to where the budget has over or under performed each month, enabling us to make the right decisions for the club with an exact understanding of where we are financially, not just today, but where we are forecast to be in the coming months. Invaluable input and support for the Board, another example of volunteers contributing so much, and perhaps not always getting the recognition. Thanks Neil.
Next week myself and fellow Directors and volunteers will be putting our DIY skills to the test carrying out some repairs down at the club as we look to fix damaged chairs, paint and add new skirting board as well as working in the cellar to get it clean and tidy for when we can again accept beer deliveries ready to re-open the clubhouse and facilities. The leaking roof mentioned last week remains an issue that we are looking into repair options for. A big thank you to the Supporters’ Trust who have kindly put forward an offer of financial assistance, it is much appreciated, and we will hopefully between us get the best possible repair work done.
In other news this week, I am delighted to announce that the Rev Edward Bowles-Smith, Head of St Mary’s Church Chesham has agreed to become our club Chaplain and I am sure you will all join me in welcoming him into our football family during these challenging times.
Elsewhere out and about in our great town, I personally am helping every week with the Big Community Take Away as a delivery driver that I am sure many of you are familiar with, providing hot meals to over 80 needy households in a radius of 3 miles of Chesham. Mark Rann, Mark Rosales and Lisa Walker have connected with local pubs, restaurants and caterers who have offered their facilities and staff who have volunteered to prepare hot meals.
Since the Big Community Take Away launched in April 2020, it has provided over 6,500 meals in the Chesham/Amersham area. This is a fantastic offer, but it needs help. They need our donations to purchase all the essential groceries and ingredients, and cover essential utilities costs, which will enable the volunteer chefs to prepare meals that will be collected/delivered to those who need a hot meal. Please visit their Just Giving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/bcta-coronavirussupport?utm_term=RK4Gy8mMA
Elsewhere in the community I would like us to offer our support to Ley Hill Community Pub Limited who are looking to save the magnificent Swan Pub in Ley Hill. The Swan at Ley Hill is a beautiful Grade II listed, timber-framed, historic building which has been the hub of the local community for hundreds of years but is in danger of being lost. Ley Hill Community Pub Limited, a Community Benefit Society, already has pledges from more than 100 people. Would you too like to join this growing initiative and become a contributor and Member of the Ley Hill Community Pub Limited? If you would like to see the prospectus, just register online at www.leyhillcommunitypub.co.uk
Finally, a belated Happy Birthday to our magnificent turnstile operator, George Adams, who turned 84 yesterday – We all can’t wait to get back to being welcomed into the ground for a football match by our magnificent volunteer.
Stay Safe – Stay Well all of you.
