The GPFA
Introduction
The Guilsborough Playing Field Association is a charitable organisation responsible for managing and maintaining the 7.5 acres of Playing Field since 1977. The Playing Field Association raises around £12,000 each to cover the cost of maintaining the facility and to support small capital projects and received a nomination for a Queens Award for Voluntary Service in 2021. The Playing Field Association is a registered charity, registration number 275828. The Association would always welcome new members to contribute to management and maintenance of the ground, any volunteers can contact the Association using the link below.
Our Mission
To provide the best possible facility to allow residents of Guilsborough and the surrounding area to enjoy outdoor activities and sports in the beautiful setting of the playing field and thus contributing to the health and well being of the community.
History
The GPFA is an independent organisation created in 1977 that manages the sporting activities and maintains and improves the facilities. at the playing field. The General Committee is composed of village volunteers and representatives of sporting clubs. In addition three village trustees review that the GPFA’s charity objects are met.
In 2022 around 2000 juniors and adults used the facility for cricket, football and school sports as well as numerous others who use if for walking and informal recreation. Over the last 45 years many parish families have used the playing field for adult and junior recreational and sporting activities.
Ownership
The proprietor of the Guilsborough Playing Field is the Official Custodian of Charities at the Charities Commission on behalf of the Guilsborough Playing Field Association (GPFA), who are responsible for managing the land and property on the West Haddon Road, next door to Guilsborough Academy. The Official Custodian is a corporation created by statute to hold land on behalf of charities; in practice he/she is a member of the Charity Commission’s staff who is appointed to this role. The land and buildings were vested by the GPFA in the Official Custodian of Charities some 40 years ago.
Funding
The GPFA independently raises all of the funds required to meet the annual running cost of about £12,000 p.a. Around a third of which is raised from the hire of the facility to local sports clubs, the remainder is raised each through the efforts of volunteers. These costs include items such as mowing, insurance electric and water services, statutory tree safety inspections.
Many thanks to all those who supported our fund raising appeal in 2023 and ongoing. Your support makes it possible for us to continue to keep the facility open and in good condition.
Committee Members
Chairman: Freddie de Lisle
Secretary: Graham Byars
Vice Chairman: Mike Edwards
Treasurer: Milly Plant
Health and Safety Officer: Gary Wakelin
Village Link and Communications: Katie Fulcher
Fundraising & Haddon CC: Jim Houghton
West Haddon Junior FC: Marc Garrett
The Trustees
The Trustees are responsible for the governance of the Playing Field Association. They perform an Annual review of PFA activities and the financial accounts. They are also actively involved in fundraising initiatives.
Hugh Lowther
Hugh's father Sir John Lowther made the land available for the village to buy and create the facility back in 1977. Hugh lives in Guilsborough and has been a trustee of the ground since 1994. He is a huge supporter of the facility and can occasionally be spotted participating in a social cricket match.
John McCall
John has been a trustee since 1994, lives in Guilsborough, and has supported a variety of activities, including the legal aspects of registering the field with the Land Registry, thus securing it for the village.
Sarah Edwards
Sarah has supported many voluntary organisations in Guilsborough and takes an active role in fundraising whenever possible. Sarah lives in Guilsborough and has been a trustee since 2014.