Clubs & Societies
A great deal of work to the premises has been done with the help of a grant from Sport England. However, this was not sufficient even to cover essential works and DCM Hollington Trust (and the Alleyn Club) have had to step in to save the club but in so doing they have had to reduce the endowment to the extent that endangers their ability to fund basic expenses for many more years. It looks as if this situation will be exacerbated by the loss of grant from Southwark Council. In these circumstances we are now working upon a business plan to attract further grants and complete the refurbishment of the building.
to be able to continue making grants at this level for much longer. Grants have continued despite our actual annual income from all sources falling substantially short of the payments made to the Club, which in the past eight years have amounted to some £542,000. The shortfall in itself emphasises the continuing need for further donations. Our aspiration is to complete repairs and updates to the premises so that there can be more lettings to provide a more secure level of income. Lettings to the Amateur Boxing Association and Southside Young Leaders Academy and use by the local primary school have continued, but there is scope for much more given the size of the premises. This however is dependent upon further investment in the building – hence the need for the business plan. Please give serious consideration to the separate plea for legacies attached.
Links with the College The Trust is run by a committee of OAs together with most valued support from the Master and the Chaplain. In recent years there has been renewed interest from the school and boys have contributed significantly. We are most pleased that the Club has once again become one of the beneficiaries of the College’s charitable giving. Links with the College have also provided ready practical help when needed. OAs can help too. Many of the committee have been in post for a very long time and we need younger members; the committee meets three times a year so it is not an onerous task! But experience of managing an endowment, business connections and fundraising skills are needed to keep the project afloat. The Trust The Trust owns the Club premises in Camberwell as well as a portfolio of investments built up from the College collections and from OA donations and legacies. This has enabled the Trust to continue to pay regular grants to the Club. A sum of £97,000 was paid last year out of dividend income, donations and from the sale of some of our investments. Peter Lyon OA (53- 61) now manages our funds as well as the Alleyn Club investments. He and his predecessor, Peter Franklin (46-50) were very ably and loyally supported by Ted Swaysland our treasurer for many years who sadly died last summer. Roger Walker (51-58) was encouraged by Ted to join the board and is now treasurer and also leading on the preparation of the business plan. The endowment has been shrinking over recent years since the income generated has had to be supplemented with regular injections of capital so that, as mentioned above, there is a real concern that the Trust will cease
Thanks We are most grateful to all the dedicated staff, including some four part-time sessional workers and volunteers at the Club under the enthusiastic leadership of SJ, together with a senior youth worker (now a Family Support Worker) sports and head boxing coaches and book-keeper. We also record our thanks to the directors of both charities for their time and very valued support in most cases over very many years. Mike Morris and Ted Swaysland, long-time directors, have died last summer and are sadly missed. We are much indebted to them. Both Trust and Club are in great need of new members. The Trust generally meets 3 times a year but the Club Management Committee is more hands on and meets at the club rather more frequently. We should also like to thank our regular OA subscribers and those who donate at dinners and other OA events and on whose subscriptions we recover Gift Aid.
Jeremy Baker (53-60) Chairman
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