Welcome to The Herdman Association, Ewhurst Green TN32 5TB
Just a little bit of history first ~ Nearly one hundred years after the death of the benefactor of The Herdman Bequest, Arthur Widdrington HERDMAN, who was killed in action in October 1914 at the very beginning of the First World War, the Pavilion was built in 2012-13. This Herdman Pavilion building, the culmination of local fundraising events, considerable effort from local volunteers and contractors and the financial support of Ewhurst Parish Council, Rother District Council and the Rural Development Programme for England, was officially opened to the public on 27 July 2013 by Rother District Council Chairman, Councillor Ian Jenkins supported by Brigitte Fifield, Chair of Ewhurst Parish Council, the Trustee of The Herdman Bequest charity.
What does The Herdman Association provide for the local community?
The Herdman Association is a not-for-profit organisation, not a charity. The Herdman Pavilion and Recreation Field is home to Sporting Club Pass & Move, a football club supporting boys and girls aged between 6 and 10 and of all abilities. It is also a community hub for residents of Ewhurst Parish comprising the villages Ewhurst Green, Staplecross and Cripps Corner. Facilities include a modern pavilion and a recreation field (including a petanque court) available for hire for sporting and fitness classes and social events: special occasions, children's birthday parties, table sales, charity lunches, local society meetings etc, all at a very attractive hire charge.
With a licence to sell alcohol and a modern kitchen this has proved to be a very popular venue for charity events such as the biennial Village BBQ, quiz nights and monthly village wine evenings. Local support of the Association - by hiring the facilities, coming to quiz nights, attending one or more fitness classes or bringing children and grandchildren to play with the football club - provides much-needed funds to maintain the building and the field. Our committee members are all volunteers who give their time to ensure this facility is maintained to a very high standard and is available for everyone, particularly the younger generation, to use in these days of cutbacks and reduced sporting venues. All voluntary support is very welcome eg. regular clearing of gutters and gulleys, internal painting, maintenance of the grounds etc. If one is interested in joining the support group, please contact Jan via [email protected] and let her know the type of work you're willing to undertake and your availability.
In 2015, the field underwent major works to install drainage and levelling followed in Spring 2017 with top dressing and re-seeding to provide improved playing conditions and this maintenance work has been carried out every Spring since using revenue raised throughout the year.
Please come and view the facility - contact details are available on this website and on the noticeboard outside the Pavilion.