7 March 2008

PURCHASE AND RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF DOFF’S FIELD

Olney RFC is looking to buy the piece of land to the east of the town, immediately behind the Rugby Club, generally known as Doff’s Field. Currently, we are jointly applying with the vendor for a change of use from agricultural land to playing fields.

This is an exciting development for the Rugby Club and we believe that owning this land will bring great benefit to the town as a whole.  It will add ten acres of recreational space to the facilities presently enjoyed by Olney’s sporting clubs and will allow all of them to expand and improve their playing areas.

This land is also a huge investment in the future of the Rugby Club itself. Currently over 300 children and young people are registered with Olney RFC to train and play matches for our Mini and Junior Section on Sunday mornings. With this field we can set up and provide smaller pitches to cater for this flourishing Section and nurture our senior players of the future.  Having first class facilities right through from mini and junior level to senior first team rugby will mean we will retain players’ commitment to the club and reap the benefit in years to come. 

The Club will now be undertaking a substantial fund raising exercise not only to raise funds for the purchase of the land, but also to convert the field from meadow to first class playing fields.  These playing fields will be of a very high standard, giving us unrivalled facilities in the local area and no doubt attracting the interest of County and Regional managers looking for host venues.

Within a month or two we plan to hold an open evening at the Clubhouse so that we can explain in more detail what we are hoping to do and give you a chance to give us your feedback and to ask questions.  

Yours sincerely,

Chris Talbot