Bullock Park

Committee 2022/23

Chair – Paul Chubbock
Vice-Chair – Cllr Shelley
Clerk – June Smith
Treasurer – Sarah Howlett
Football – Sarah Howlett
Judo – Bob Hunter
Parish Council – Cllr Shelley
Church Council – John Larwood
Groundsman – Claude Knights
User – Carole Playford

Hire of Pavilion

This has a full kitchen facility including fridge/freezer and dishwasher and will comfortably seat 60.  It is ideal for children’s Birthday parties with a large pleasant grass area with picnic tables and play area.

Current Activities:

Mon p.m.                         Judo
Tues p.m.                        Martial Arts
Weds p.m.                       Free
Thurs p.m.                      Beavers, Cubs & Scouts
Fri p.m.                            Martial Arts
Sun a.m.                          Football

The pavilion is available for hire at all other times either for regular or casual use

CHARGE as from 1st April 2023
Regular use     £6.50/hr
Casual use       £8.50/hr

Users in addition pay for electricity via a coin -in the-slot meter

Bookings can be made by phoning Sarah Howlett on 01362 820047

History

In 1927, seven acres of land to be known as Bullock Park was gifted by Richard Haggard to the residents of Shipdham Parish for the purposes of “recreation and the playing of games.  For this stated purpose and specifically excluding any other use, the gift was registered with the Charities Commission.  The land was vested to be held in Trust by Shipdham Parish Council .  The Park was to be run by a Management Committee of six consisting of two representatives of the Parish Council, two representatives from Sports clubs, the Rector of Shipdham Parish and Mr. Haggard.  All members had to live within the Parish and were required to resign if they moved out.

The first committee’s development plan was to plough and seed rough ground to extend the area of mown grass and raise funds to provide a children’s play area and build a Pavilion.    They decided to fund raise by holding an annual Grand Fete on August Bank Holiday Monday and having a September door to door collection by Committee members and Parish Councillors.   Park Highatt, a well known villager and Sports Club representative on the Committee was elected as Executive Officer to run the Park reporting back to the Committee at its quarterly meetings.  The Committee was given the right to make Bye-laws to ensure the Park was properly used and respected.

In the 30’s, the plantation to the right of the lane was added to the gift with the occupants of Hall Farm retaining a right of access along it and subsequently this lane was re-classified as a Restricted right of way.

After Park Higgatt’s management ceased Bullock Park has had a chequered history.  Reading its Minute books is to learn about village politics.  It was the 50’s before a children’s Playground was established. Bowling greens and Tennis Courts have been and gone.  There was even a plan for a Speedway track which didn’t get supported.  The design of the current Pavilion (which replaced a Tin Hut) was constantly altered to accommodate favoured activities of the time.

And to date?

After inheriting a facility which had been kept going but was deteriorating, the current committee has been together for 3 years.   We have forged a good working relationship with the Parish Council and have made some real progress.

We have worked our way through a Pavilion maintenance backlog, installed new windows doors and floodlights, have worked with the Recreation Project and contributed to the new Play facilities,  have removed dead trees and weed killed, fertilised and seeded all mown areas.  This work is ongoing and we still have things to do before we can truly say that the Committee are satisfied.