January 2024

SERP 2000 Sherfield English Recreation Project 2000

We hope that you enjoyed the festive period and moving into 2024. And so another year is upon us, and what weather we’ve had! From wild and wet to bright and very, very cold.

The wet weather has again caused issues to the pitches at the Sports Field

with a number of matches cancelled and extra work for the greens-man trying to get the pitches back in use. You may have seen that the children’s playground has sadly been closed for the time being. The equipment has suffered badly from the frequently soaked ground causing the structures to

rot.

We have received some very generous donations from villagers towards the playground repairs/refurbishment and we are so very grateful for these. The equipment is however now beyond simple repairs and must be replaced

at a much greater cost and this is dependent on the drainage being

completed.

The committee are working with the Parish Council and both TVBC and

other bodies in order to secure the funding needed to put in the drainage to

keep the site functioning all year and to replace the playground equipment.

News from the Pavilion.

The site is an important hub for the village and is an asset for all to use. We are a small committee working hard to make the recreation ground remain

at the heart of Sherfield English’s village life, but we do need help.

Could you volunteer to perhaps help on our committee, or to get involved in the planning of events? We need willing souls to join our merry band, and no particular experience necessary. The more helpers we have the

more the work’s spread out, and the more fun for all.

We know that everyone leads busy lives, but we need help to make the progress to benefit us all.

Jerome Hoffman Chairman SERP2000 serp@sherfieldenglish.co.uk

Funded and run by the village charity SERP 2000. Defibrillator here.

Volunteers and new committee members always welcome.

Contacts: Chair: Jerome Hoffman 07881 314584 Sec: Julie Bellamy

serp@sherfieldenglish.org.uk

Play area: 07979 785 559 Croquet & Bowling: Contact Jenny Hayter 01794 322674

Mon/Wed 2-4pm Fri 2-4pm & 6-8pm Annual fee £40 £2/2 hour game

Football manager: Mathew Mills – 01794 884 731

Tennis court: –Contact Toni – 01794 323 325 for access

Events: See Newsletter, website & Facebook for dates. Come and join in!

September 2023

Funded and run by the village charity SERP 2000. Defibrillator here.

Volunteers and new committee members always welcome.

Contacts: Chair: Jerome Hoffman 07881 314584 Sec: Julie Bellamy

serp@sherfieldenglish.org.uk

Play area: 07979 785 559 Croquet & Bowling: Contact Jenny Hayter 322674

Mon/Wed 2-4pm Fri 2-4pm & 6-8pm Annual fee £40 £2/2 hour game

Football manager: Mathew Mills – 884 731

Tennis court: –Contact Toni - 323 325 for access

Events: See Newsletter, website & Facebook for dates. Come and join in!

Though traditionally a quiet period August has seen not just the usual comings and goings of local families to the play area and the fields in

general but also in early August the hosting of a junior football tournament at the Sherfield English football pitches.

A host of youngsters expended some of their seemingly limitless energies playing a series of matches with quarter and semi-final matches topped off

by an exciting final itself which was won by a team from Totton.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable day over at the field and it was an

absolute pleasure to see the players and their parents enjoying themselves

so very much. It provided a great reminder as to why the recreational field is such an important part of helping provide the services and facilities that

are an integral part of any community, but especially one so rural and dispersed as our own. Thank you to all those who attended for making it such a success and

please allow me to extend a special vote of thanks to the host of volunteers who gave up their own time so freely to provide the tuck shop, teas and coffees and the delicious BBQ burgers and hot dogs. And a huge thank you also to SERP’s own Matt Mills who once again surpassed himself in an

amazing feat of organisation and communication and pulling the whole day

together.

News from the Pavilion

Not too much to report from the running of SERP perspective for this edition. Watch out for news of the annual bonfire night, date soon to be

announced.

We’re still very keen to hear from any volunteers in the village or surrounds who would be willing to come along and join in with our activities. Please

do feel free to send us an email at serp.field@gmail.com

Jerome Hoffman Chairman SERP2000 serp@sherfieldenglish.co.uk

April 2023

Coronation update – save the date Sunday 7th May 2023!

Preparations for the upcoming event to mark the coronation are

progressing well and we’re happy to confirm the date here so you can make

a note in your diaries.

Celebrations at the Sherfield English playing fields will take place on

Sunday 7th May, starting with a football tournament in the morning with

BBQ and tea stands available.

Then, from 3pm cream teas will be sold, there’ll be live music, the BBQ and

bar will continue and we’re planning, amongst other exciting events, a

charity auction, tombola, face painting, coconut shy and the legendary

Sherfield English skittle alley. Looking forward very much to seeing you

there.

We want to extend our thanks to all the local businesses and organisations

who are providing their support for this event – we’ll highlight them all on

the day and perhaps here in the newsletter also – but we would like to put

on record our thanks to Test Valley Borough Council and the Sherfield

English Parish Council who have made generous contributions.

A big vote of thanks is also due to the members of the SERP2000

Committee who have jumped in as always to plan and organise this event,

but we would love to have more volunteers – please get in touch through

the number below if you can help at all – don’t forget the more help we get

the bigger and bolder the event can be on the day!

Update from the Pavilion.

Despite a great deal of the SERP Committee’s time being spent on the

coronation event planning we’re working hard to make sure that we’re

keeping a focus on the renovation projects that are underway for the SERP

facilities and playground.

We’ve invested in better storage and outside furniture; we’re looking to

improve the lighting for our evening court users and enhanced signage and

security for the site.

Although the committee do a great job we’re always keen to find new

volunteers who would like to help. We’re a friendly bunch and we’re

committed to making the playing fields an ever more important part of the

fabric of our community and bring us all together. Please join us – just

contact us through the details below.

SERP2000

serp.field@gmail.com

Julie 07979785559