Wellington’s refurbished Sports Pavilion was officially opened by Mayor Gloria Copley at the weekend and it now joins the cricket club’s newly-built Long Hop Bar and score box in providing updated and much improved facilities for all sports’ teams who use the playing fields. Mayor Copley was joined in cutting the red ribbon by Wellington and District Federation of Sports’ Clubs patron, Richard Fox, and Wellington Cricket Club Chairman, Duncan Short.
In her opening address, Mayor Copley paid tribute to commitment of the Federation, chaired by Roger Nunn, whose stated objective of “moving sport and leisure forward” had led directly to the refurbishment of the pavilion. She said, “This whole revamped building is evidence of their commitment to sports in the town and their determination to provide an excellent facility for the people who use the sports’ field. It’s not easy in the present economic climate to acquire the money for such a big project but their determination to have a better pavilion resulted in £350,000 being procured. That in itself is a major achievement.”
Finance for the refurbishment came from a C106 agreement with Persimmon Homes, from Sport England and Taunton Deane Borough Council.
Richard Fox thanked the Federation’s committee for their contribution to the process of acquiring the money for the refurbishment and congratulated them on the successful completion of the project.
Wellington Majorettes set the ceremony in motion and speeches were followed by an afternoon Festival of Sport inspired by last year’s Olympics. The Federation’s member clubs – squash, football, dance, Tae Kwon Do, cricket, fencing, tennis, rugby, mat bowls – were all present for visitors to ‘Come and Try’, alongside matches, demonstrations, coaching sessions and skills testing. Activities for children included egg and spoon and space hopper races and, for the less active, there was live music, a BBQ and refreshments in the cricket and football clubhouses.
Richard Fox paid special tribute to the contribution of Jane Browne who organised the day’s events and to the good fortune of local sportsmen and women in having “a wonderful facility to use in such glorious surroundings”. In Mayor Copley’s words, “This facility will be enjoyed by hundreds of people over the coming years.”
Jane Browne adds: “What a glorious day it was! Thanks go to the many people who made the day so successful. The Wellington Majorettes started the afternoon. The ribbon was then cut by a trio: Her Worship, Lady Mayor Gloria Copley, Richard Fox who quietly does so much for Wellington and Duncan Short, chair of WCC. The Community games, a legacy of London n2012, run by Jan Ross (SASP), ably helped by John Morton(Bowmen) were very busy. Wellington Cricket, Wellington AFC, Swords Fencing, Wellington RFC, Tennis, Squash and Racket, Jump for Joy dance and Tae Kwon Do were all there with taster sessions of their sports. Other thanks go Tony Walker and Elizabeth for their masterful cooking skills, Viridor for the rubbish bins and Andy Govier for his consistent support.”