Racecourse Storage Extension

Last year it became increasingly apparent that the Racecourse Trust and Cricket Club needed more storage space. This was made an even more pressing matter when we received a new tractor and specialised mower for the wildflower meadows. The large cutter had to be stored off site. The old blue metal storage container was rusting and falling apart and no longer fit for purpose.

We therefore started a fundraising project to raise the £30,00 needed for a new block-built extension to the current storage garage.

I am pleased to say that it is finally finished and ready for use. It now provides nearly twice the storage capacity of the old metal container and includes space for the Parkrun organisers and our volunteer group to store equipment.

I would also like to acknowledge and thank Daly Building and Roofing for successfully completing the task.

Our thanks go to all the following whose generosity helped to fund the project:

Our general fundraising donors who contributed a total of £4,417 (3 donors contributed £2,700 of the total).

The HRPPT committee raised £1,951 from plant sales and a quiz night.

The Great Racecourse Relay which took place over 24 hours starting on 26th October raising £1,691. This was the idea dreamt up by Kevin Wheeler who also organised and participated in the event. As well as individual donations the following local companies kindly sponsored the 48 relay runners:

  • Forbidden florist
  • Happy Hounds and Horses
  • Simon Safety/Providence Training
  • Hotel Mariners
  • Man Up UK
  • Vaughans
  • Daly Building and Roofing
  • Hey Printo
  • Sand and Stone
  • Barnlake House Dog Training Centre, Boarding Kennels & Cattery
  • Millin Brook Kennels
  • Prendergast butchers
  • Maggs Optics
  • R K Lucas
  • Penty-Parc Stables
  • PBE Fuels
  • Marloes Conservation

Finally our especial thanks to the following organisations for their donations which raised a combined total of £16,250:

  • Sir John Perrot Trust
  • Gild of Freemen
  • Bridge Meadow Trust
  • HTC Match funding

The £30,000 target was reached with the balance coming from our own general funds.

The final result:

Loss of Town Council Funding for the Racecourse

This year the Haverfordwest Town Council has withdrawn its financial support for the Racecourse.  We are not aware of any reason for this.

The following letter to the Town Clerk is to start exploring alternative funding sources,

Madam Town Clerk

I am in receipt of the email dated 27th January 2017 written in response to the application for financial support submitted on behalf of the Haverfordwest Racecourse Public Parks Trust.

You will almost certainly not be surprised to learn that we are very disappointed to know that Haverfordwest Town Council has withdrawn its long standing financial support of our work.

However, life goes on, and we must take comfort from the fact that so many of our townspeople express appreciation of our efforts, especially during these trying times when mental and physical health are under threat.

As Spring and Summer approach, we look forward to welcoming back our young cricketers and footballers, and participating in the weekly Park Run.

In her email, Ms Rees invited me to contact you for advice on possible alternative income streams.  Such help would be greatly appreciated and I hope to hear from you in the very near future.

Yours sincerely

Peter Lewis

Secretary of the Haverfordwest racecourse Public Parks Trust