Kingsclere sports and social club under closure threat

Special 'crisis' public meeting called in September

A Kingsclere sports and social club, which this week revealed it was under threat of closure due to financial pressures, has called a special public meeting in September to discuss the crisis.

Alan Hambidge, the chairman of charity, Kingsclere Community Association (KCA), which runs the Fieldgate Centre in Fieldgate Drive, urged everyone with an interest in the centre remaining in the village to attend.

He said: “The current financial situation at The Fieldgate Centre is such that it cannot continue in its present form.

“The current committee of Kingsclere Community Association, our borough councillors and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council are working hard to find a way to keep the centre viable.

“The purpose of the meeting is to explore ways in which the community of Kingsclere can help to find a way to keep their community centre open.”

Secretary of KCA, Lesley Farey, said income from hiring rooms at the centre had remained stable, but income from other sources had dropped considerably in recent months.

She added: “The result is that our monthly expenditure exceeds our monthly income.

“The meeting is to alert local people to the situation and to ask for help in finding ways to increase our income.

“We would welcome new members of the committee with ideas and energy.”

The charity was unable to release any figures until KCA accounts had been ratified by its committee members and presented at the September AGM.

Last week, Kingsclere Youth Club was awarded a £3,000 grant by Kingsclere Parish Council to fund a feasibility study into a proposed £170,000 extension at the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council owned centre to house the youth club.

KCA this week confirmed it was uncertain how the centre’s financial difficulties might impinge on the proposal for a new youth club extension at the Fieldgate.

The centre is used as a village polling station and home to Kingsclere’s rugby, football and cricket clubs.

Indoors, it houses Kingsclere Darts Club, and the well-known local amateur dramatics group, Kingsclere Players, as well as a Slimming World group.

The centre and bar has also hosted many community events over the years, such royal wedding celebrations.

The special general meeting starts at 7.30pm on Tuesday, September 8, at the Fieldgate Centre.