Wythall Community Association Coronavirus Reopening ‘Press Release’ Update July 2020

Press Release – Update #3

Following our previous update and in line with the lifting of various COVID-19 measures by the government - along with a great deal of work put in by the various committees - we are pleased to be able to report:

• The play areas are now open subject to Covid restrictions, with signage in place explaining how to safely use the equipment.
• The Community Club is also reopened, so if you haven’t already, please pop in either as a member, or as a non-member to see what is on offer: https://wythallcommunityclub.org.uk/
• Limited restarting of bookings is underway and dates are being re-allocated for next year.
• The football pitches are all booked out for the winter season, so it is really important that those who have been using the park for “unofficial practice” stay off the pitches to ensure they remain viable for our paying teams. If you’d like to find out about pitch rental, please do get in touch: http://www.wythall-park.org.uk/contents/en-uk/contactus.html
• Firm plans for the safe running of future annual fixtures such as Carnival have still been unable to progress for 2020, however we remain hopeful that Bonfire might still go ahead and that all events will be able to go ahead as usual in 2021
• Planning for a celebratory party and/or picnic in the park event for local residents as and when we are able is progressing and we would hope this can still happen Spring 2021 latest.

Unfortunately, since our last update there have been several cases of serious vandalism (including two instances of large windows being broken), which have ended up costing the Community Association hundreds of pounds to repair in order to keep the facilities available. Whilst it is disappointing that these incidents have happened, we would as usual like to thank those members of our local community who are respecting the facilities and using them responsibly, including taking their own rubbish home. We take this opportunity to remind everyone that respecting the current guidelines, and indeed the park and other users in this way is essential if we are to keep these facilities available.

As always, we must show appreciation to those who have joined the Community Association during this period, along with those who have visited the Community Club for a drink or two. Wythall Community Association is a registered charity, administered by volunteers. The funds come from subscriptions, rental fees, fund-raising events and donations and the funds raised by the Community Club. It is not council owned and maintained (unlike Bromsgrove’s Sanders Park for example), and losing events such as the Carnival and Bonfire seriously impacts our income (not to mention having to find additional unexpected money to rectify the damage caused by the aforementioned vandalism), so we remain heavily dependent on membership fees, donations and club customers to keep this essential local asset open and accessible at this time. If you are making use of the park but not yet a member, please do consider joining. Joining the Community Club costs little more than joining the Association only and will enable you to socialise and buy refreshments in Wythall House: https://wythallcommunityclub.org.uk/membership/new-members.