Author: Neal

A community event to celebrate the beginning of the project and to seek fundraising support to construct the new pavilion at Synder Meadow was held on Sunday 31 August at The Four Alls, Welford on Avon.

Attended by upward of 50 residents and supporters including Welford’s local MP, Manuela Perteghella, members of Welford on Avon’s Parish Council, Cricket and Football clubs.

The fundraising team talked through the project. All agreed a new pavilion was desperately needed to replace the rotten existing structure. It had been identified as a priority by the village, during consultation for the Neighbourhood Development Plan. A summary of the presentation is available for download.

Funding

A successful application for funds from Stratford District Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) grant kick started the project in 2023. Planning approval followed and additional funds were secured from Welford Parish Council via CIL funds and precept.  £600,000 has been raised to date which is enough to construct the flood-resilient pavilion structure. 

However there is a further challenge!  There is a fundraising target of £200,000 to fit out the community areas and £150,000 for the sports facilities. This includes the building’s interior, a new outdoor recreation space, a running path and orchard.

Discussion

Lively informal discussion followed, with pledges of support and many ideas for how this target can be achieved. Together the community can build a legacy for Welford to enjoy and be proud of. Please get in touch with your ideas and any offers of help! All will be greatly appreciated. And come back to the website regularly, or keep an eye on the old butcher’s window for updates.

The long-awaited transformation of Synder Meadow is set to take a significant step forward with the demolition of the existing, unfit-for-purpose clubhouse on Thursday 4 September 2025. This marks a pivotal milestone in realising the community’s vision for a modern pavilion and enhanced facilities. Demolition of the building has been generously offered by City Demolition at zero cost to the community of Welford on Avon.

The current clubhouse, long described as being in “a dreadful state of repair and no longer fit for purpose”, will finally be removed to make way for the new replacement building. The new pavilion structure is due for completion in the early part of 2026.

The demolition will be a formally supported event. Local MP Manuela Perteghella will be in attendance at 11am on Thursday to witness and lend her backing to the project.

The new pavilion, designed to serve both sports and community functions, received planning permission in April 2024. It will include:

• Modern changing rooms and toilets meeting Sport England specifications
• A welcoming central multi-functional space with kitchen and additional toilets, suitable for community and business events
• The structure will be elevated on stilts to ensure flood resilience and includes a lift for full wheelchair access for inclusivity

Synder Meadow, owned by the Parish Council, is the home of Welford’s cricket and football pitches. The new pavilion promises to become a flexible hub, with: two youth football pitches, two junior football pitches, a cricket green, pétanque court, a community orchard, running path and a community recreation space.