Pikeys Progress - Concerns about OWA
Posted 1st June 2023
When Jim Lloyd asked me to write a regular column for the OWA website, having launched it all those years ago, I was happy to agree to do so. I was not given a particular remit by the then webmaster, but it was implied that the column would be about the Old Wilsonians, written in my somewhat quirky humorous manner, which I concede is not to everyone’s liking, although some find it an acceptable style, including Jim himself And so, and over the years, I have written primarily about the Old Wilsonians but occasionally strayed into my second love, namely music, and examined the wit, wisdom and pure genius of Leonard Cohen, and experiencing the joys of Kate Bush’s concert at the Hammersmith Apollo in 2014 – and if you were not fortunate enough to get a ticket then I strongly recommend her album ‘Before the Dawn’, which is a recording of the event
For this edition of Pikey’s Progress there will be no jokes nor musical references – it is serious article relating to my concerns about the Old Wilsonians I am also taking the unusual step of sending a copy of this article to all of the Chairs of the respective subsidiary clubs and asking them to encourage their members to read it There is much good news:
· The fact that we are about to become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) , thanks to the hard work of President Mark Mace, the OWA Council and the Association’s trustees
· The fact that we are now a community club serving the local community and have in the region of 2,000 people using our facilities The fact that the majority of these are youngsters, playing cricket, football and tennis The fact that we have introduced girls/women’s football and cricket to the Club in our case, is making the Old Wilsonians an even greater club than it already is.
· The fact that we now have a Netball Club
· The fact that we are all Old Wilsonians now, irrespective of where we went to school
All of the above has been the result of an enormous amount of hard work and has laid the foundations for what should, and I am determined will be an exciting future
Sadly some people are not acting responsibly and I will give a few examples
Parking
We have a car park and an overflow area to the left of the pavilion which must only be used on a Sunday during the football season
Recently there were more vehicles in this area than in the car park itself!
This is pure laziness – we are a sports club and encourage people to keep fit – walking from the official car park is surely not too much to ask.
Such behaviour also causes problems in that it prevents work being carried out.
Our dedicated (small) team of gardeners – and, No, they are not convicts carrying out their community service as a penance for their crimes, had to ask two motorists to move their cars so that they could mow the grass in that area
Damage to cricket and squash equipment /dogs should be kept on a lead
Over £20,000 worth of damage has been done to the cricket nets and covers, one of which has been slashed with a knife
Not only will the cricket club have to find the money to repair this damage but there will be additional expenses with regard to preventing it happening again
Yes, it is great that we have so many youngsters using our facilities but will parents please ensure that their children do not use the Nets as a play area and regard the covers as toys –we do have a playground they can use!
Parents must act responsibly and ensure that their children do, too – the rules are very simple and are designed to keep your children safe as well as protect the facilities they use
It is also disturbing to have to report that some damage was caused recently, and by apparent vandalism, to the clock/temperature recorders etc. in Squash Court No.2.
Some of our members and visitors, especially those owning dogs, may be aware of the London Borough of Bromley's recent Consultation for new dog control measures. Some of these measures are quite stringent, particularly regarding children's playgrounds (we have one) and sports facilities (that's the other 99%).
Whilst we do not think that, as a community private club, we need to follow all of the borough's proposals, we do ask that dogs brought to the club and grounds are always on a lead and any mess is cleared up after, in accordance with the notices posted around the grounds and club house.
The Association used to have a ‘no dogs’ policy, and whilst we do not wish to revert to that policy, we may be forced to do so if the current unacceptable behaviour - i.e. dog owners flagrantly ignoring these essential rules and verbally abusing those who challenge them - persists.
ClubForce
Despite the fact that there are so many people around the response to our recent Clubforce weekend, when we carry out essential work to keep the Club looking in prime condition, was minimal
I am convinced that, amongst our members, there are numerous people with numerous skills
The volunteers all worked hard and I thank each and every one of them, but there were nowhere near enough of us
A few simple rules to follow to make our great Club even greater
The Old Wilsonians Sports Club is admired by many visitors, who envy our facilities, the way we are run and the achievements we have made, all of which would not have been possible but for a lot of hard work put into the Club over many years
All of our subsidiaries have hard working officials and committee members who work tirelessly in order for you to play your sport. The time and effort they put in is often/invariably longer than the length of the respective sports themselves
I make no apology for what many of you may consider a rant and make the following plea to all of you
Use the official car park - better still, if you live locally, walk to the Club. It keeps you fitter and helps the environment, thereby helping to protect all of the youngsters who use the Club.
Parents - PLEASE ensure that your children do not damage any of the equipment on the ground. Not only does it cost us money that we do not have but it could compromise your child’s safety
· Put litter in the bins provided
· Do not stub out your cigarettes in the geraniums
All of the above are simple things to achieve and I am confident that most of you observe them anyway; those who do not probably have not read this far so please encourage those who have not done so to follow these simple, and more importantly, sensible rules More than happy to discuss any of the above – and anything else you would like to raise with me – at any time.
Thanks again to all of you who volunteer in such a selfless way. If you have been tempted to do so in the past but have not got round to it yet, then now is the time to start doing so.
Volunteers are priceless but so are the rewards which, in our case, is making the Old Wilsonians an even greater club than it already is.
