With “flaming” June coming to a close we have seen real progress in the construction of the new clubhouse, please see the construction progress section for more information and photos. We also look at the new café operator and our funding initiatives in this month’s edition of the Key Stakeholder Update.

With the recent easing of the lockdown restrictions allowing groups to meet the recreation ground continues to be a source of enjoyment to all in Claygate and the surrounding areas.

The use of the grounds has increased substantially during lockdown assisted by the good weather we have had, reinforcing what an important resource this is for the community.

Operations

Apart from the build project the CRGT team have been busy in negotiations with the new Café Operators and we are really delighted to announce that the tender for the Café operation has been won by 'Pistachios in the Park'.

Pistachios in the Park is a community café concept from Aysin Djemil, and Ender Turkyilmaz. They have already had great success with some community Café operations in and around London and Surrey and were able to present the CRGT with exactly the type of operation and concept that we were looking for. When asked about the success of their previous park café operations Aysin commented.

"The Pistachios concept is very specific and it's all about the community the whole thrust is to get more folk back into local parks to enjoy the ambiance and interact with each other. Our cafes are great places to meet family and friends. Most importantly our facilities and outdoor areas allow you to spend time with the kids or to relax and enjoy the green space, all within their local neighbourhood. Furthermore, step inside and you will find delicious home cooked food, and barista style beverages, together with excellent service and bags of community spirit."

We think Claygate will love Pistachios in the Park, not only will they provide our local community with quality food, coffee and beverages, but they will also run the new Community Clubhouse, licensed bar and be able to provide catering facilities for local organisations, parties, barbecues and events throughout the year. If you would like to take a sneak preview at what Pistachios in the Park will have to offer, please take a look here: https://pistachiosinthepark.org.uk/

Construction Progress - June

Armfield Construction continue to make good progress. However, they have now informed us that due to COVID 19 and circumstances beyond their control the completion date will need to be moved from July to September. This is obviously disappointing but not entirely unexpected. We think we have been lucky in only having a six week delay many other EBC construction projects stopped at the start of the outbreak and are only now slowly starting up again. The delay has been mainly due to obtaining materials, with many factories and manufacturing plants closing there has been a significant impact on availability and delivery of supplies.

The next phase for the build project will be the completion of the roof structure and commencement of the external wall cladding and the all-important mechanical and electrical work. Thank you once again to Armfield for the sterling work they are doing in very difficult circumstances. We will of course keep you all posted on progress.

Landscaping

Once the Community Clubhouse build is complete, the CRGT will be able to commence the “Garden project”, this space will be the perfect addition to the new clubhouse. To help with this we are fortunate in that our newest trustee is a landscape gardener. Some of you will already know Rachel Jones and her family as they live in Claygate. Rachel is a professionally trained and qualified landscape gardener and we are delighted to have her on the team.

Our goal is for the landscaping to be completed by spring 2021, in time for all the community to enjoy it in the summer months. Designed by local garden designer- Selina Botham, (another Claygate resident) the recreation ground garden will provide outdoor seating for café customers and recreation ground visitors and will be a meeting place for all, surrounded by beautiful plantings of grasses, flowers, trees and shrubs.

We also thought that it would be a great idea to involve the Claygate community in its creation. So, for aspiring gardeners, both young and old, If you would like to volunteer to grow plants for the garden from seed or cuttings, or indeed would like to help plant up the garden in the Spring, please let us know by contacting Rachel by email at growplants@claygaterecreationgroundtrust.org.uk

In the meantime, Rachel has used the 2.6 challenge to begin this process and is aiming to grow 260 plants from seed to be planted in the landscaped garden. We think this is a fantastic idea and we are right behind her. If you too would like to support her ‘POUND FOR A PLANT’ scheme, please go to: www.givey.com/poundforaplant

Fundraising

The response to the fundraising request to help with the Garden Project has been fantastic and to date, we have now raised over £53,000. The 2.6 challenge that the CRGT Trustees joined in May has also been very successful and has raised an additional £1578 to date.

A group of Claygate residents and local runners have come together to organise a virtual running race this year in the absence of any physical running race in Claygate due to COVID19. 100% of profits from the race will go to the Claygate Recreation Ground Trust charity who are overseeing this project.

The race is 5 miles long and will take place between Sat 4th and Sun 12th July, to suit the runner’s diary! It takes place through the beautiful countryside that surrounds Claygate. The course is mainly off-road and is undulating towards the end.

All you need to do is sign up, run the race at anytime between these dates, upload your results, send an image of you at the start/finish to run5fortherec@gmail.com.

If you think you might be in with a chance for a medal, submit your times as well with a photo of a device or via STRAVA or something similar that displays both time and distance.

How to enter:

Sign up for the race: https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2020/GBR/r5ftr/
Pay entry donation : (£5 for adults and £3 for kids): https://www.givey.com/run5fortherec
Check out the running route: https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/route/5279892/Run-5-for-the-Rec
Then run the race! Upon completion of your race and donation if you show proof of your donation to Caffe Capital in Claygate you can redeem 50% off the price of a coffee and any young people who have completed the 5 miles with donation made will also get a dairy ice cream scoop for only £1.

Thank You!
The Trust is ever thankful to the support it receives from local residents and organisations. We would especially like to thank Sport England, the Football Foundation and EBC Business grants scheme for assisting the Trust in getting through the very challenging COVID-19 period.

We would also like to say thanks to Claygate Parish Council for their donation of £500 towards the "Garden Project" and also for their grant of £744.51 which pays back the portion of Community Infrastructure Levy that the Trust paid. Huge thanks also to one particular Claygate resident. They have made an extremely generous anonymous donation and have given over £8,000 to pay for the cost of the awnings to the front of the building. The awnings will extend out over the exterior decking area giving us shade and cover and be of great benefit to all.

Finally….

Last year the CRGT had been nominated for the very prestigious National Queens Award for Voluntary Service. The nomination was for the voluntary work the CRGT trustees and volunteers have done over the years to manage, maintain and improve the recreation ground. Sadly, despite a strong nomination we did not win, but received a very kind letter from The Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey – Michael More-Molyneux, in which he commented:

“I was so sorry to learn that you have not been awarded the Queens Award for Voluntary Service. You have done so much to contribute to your community, but through your dedication, enthusiasm and sheer hard work you demonstrate in all you do a shining example to the rest of the country….the fact that you were proposed for an award is testimony to the quality and impact of the contribution you are making.”

A challenge….
The new clubhouse has a specially designed community 1st floor space, with a sprung floor. We have considered how this space should be used, but would welcome your thoughts on this. If you would like to comment please contact us at:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfe2-q7Mr5MO_8b5ksM9ORsf9YTInfe1uSO4u9lMUAZikGkgA/viewform

We also need a name for this room, we have received many nominations already and the Trust will be trimming the list down to three which we will put out for the community to vote on. This will be via Facebook and Twitter in a couple of weeks, so keep a look out on social media and vote for your favourite!

Cleaning…
It has been fantastic to see so many people enjoying the recreation ground over the past few months, but with lockdown easing, more and more of the community are gathering and using this space to socialise (at a distance of course!) The vast majority have ensured that they look after the space and put litter in the bins provided but could we gently remind everyone to use the litter bins and if they do happen to be full and overflowing could we please ask that you take your rubbish home with you?

Best wishes
Tracy

Please see attached below the PDF version