We have received a letter from North Somerset Council expressing serious concern about our usage of the Uplands area for training. The two main objections raised by the Council relate to the permanent floodlighting and our usage of the area when it exceeds two evenings per week. Both of these issues do not comply with the provisions of the licence we have with the Council and unless we comply quickly the Council have threatened to prohibit our use of the area altogether.

We therefore have no alternative but to remove the permanent lighting and restrict our usage accordingly. I have managed to negotiate an arrangement with the Council that provided we comply with their provisions by Christmas, then they will allow us to continue using the area in the interim on the proviso that it will be only two evenings per week and that the lights are turned off by 9.00 pm.

The Club's managers will be meeting again this week to discuss how we are going to organise the sessions at the Uplands from next week and these details will follow. However, in the meantime can I ask that we stick rigidly to the restrictions the Council have imposed and in addition cut down on the swearing and stop car parking in the Uplands. We need to tread carefully to ensure residents do not have further cause for complaint.

Finally, the remedial work to replace the permanent lights begins this Saturday morning, when the lighting equipment we have at the Uplands will be tested. We need to get this across to the Grove where Coges has generously offered to test it. Anyone who can spare some time to help carry the equipment across from the Uplands to the Grove, please meet at the Grove Car Park at 8.00 am. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

The Club has also been looking at alternative venues for training and these discussions will be ongoing.

Thanks for your understanding and help with this.

Spence