New lease could herald a bright future for Petworth sport
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.
There has been a year of uncertainty over the future of the sports ground in the park leased by the Petworth Park Joint Sports Association from the National Trust.
But now Petworth Town Council looks set to step in as it negotiates a new 20 year lease.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdChairman of the association Bob Sneller told its annual meeting the details were still to be sorted out but it would bring ‘security to the association and ensure there were sporting facilities available in the town’.
Negotiations began last year as the 20 year lease was due for renewal.
But said, chairman of the town council Chris Kemp, there were concerns over the decreasing amount of sports activity.
Use of the ground had dwindled with the disappearance of the old cricket club several years ago and recently the stoolball club returned to its former Tillington ground.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdAlso, he said, legal changes governing charities taking on leases resulted, last year, in the town council having to act as a surety.
But the way forward became clearer after he held a meeting last week, with the National Trust and sports association representatives.
The stumbling blocks,he believed had been the change in the law and “a lot of it was also that Petworth House is planning for the future and what they want from the town council is an assurance we are going to promote sports. We are going to move heaven and earth to do that and make sure we have a thriving sports ground into the future.”
He believed the future was bright with the rebirth of the popular cricket club masterminded by Alex Rees which already had more than 50 youngsters keen to take part. “We are still negotiating the lease, but if we get an amicable agreement we will set up a management team of members of the town council and the sports groups to look over the sports ground.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdDon’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.
Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.
1) Make our website your homepage at www.midhurstandpetworth.co.uk/
2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MidhurstandPetworthObserver
3) Follow us on Twitter @mid_pet_obs
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.
And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!
The Midhurst and Petworth Observer - always the first with your local news.
Be part of it.