harrybuckle
Always look on the bright side
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 5,567 
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Post by harrybuckle on May 28, 2015 15:28:10 GMT
Of course Rovers could not commit at that time due to unsure if they were still non league if they failed the whole Youth set up would fold SIMPLES !
As I suspected always two sides to each story and why did not Hallen agree groundshare and why wont people run the centre ?
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harrybuckle
Always look on the bright side
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 5,567
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Post by harrybuckle on May 30, 2015 9:25:23 GMT
Following the statement released by Almondsbury Parish Council yesterday, we would like to take this opportunity to correct all the inaccuracies and put the record straight.
Just over a year ago the Hallen Management Committee did resign ‘en bloc’ (after giving APC 7 months notice). In our letter of resignation the lease was not even mentioned. Our reasons were that we felt we were being undermined by APC and that our efforts to run the centre were being judged to be insufficient. We further felt that a new committee might be able to forge better relationships with APC and ensure the continuation of the centre as our committee had come to the end of any attempts to be reasonable with Cllr Hilliker. His unnecessary actions (from which he eventually always backed down) led to untold stress for the small committee, who were volunteers and did not have access to the same resources as APC to fight legal battles.
As for the lease, this has been an ongoing issue for the whole of the time that the centre has been open. The original committee and parish council of the time did not put any lease in place as the parish council simply stopped replying to requests for lease updates. APC then brought up the matter of the lease again in 2007 and after they agreed to pay the legal costs for us we went ahead and employed a solicitor. At this time we agreed that a clause would be inserted into the original lease that would limit the committees liability to the assets of the club, the parish council agreed this too. However, our solicitor then discovered that according to our constitution, we were legally unable to sign a lease. He then approached APC to change the constitution and they replied through their solicitors (Wards) that they were not happy with changing the constitution. From this point we were unable to proceed with the lease and again APC stopped communications on the subject.
The issue came to the fore again in 2011 and APC’s new solicitor (Alan Hodge) tried to bully the management committee into accepting that even though the original lease had never been signed, as we had undertaken the ‘substantive performance’ of it we were liable, including the repair obligation. APC offered to restrict our repair obligation if we would agree to sign and complete the lease as they were under pressure from auditors to complete the formalities. Again, our solicitor pointed out that we had never been in a legal position to sign a lease and never would be until APC allowed the changes to the constitution. APC then completely changed tack and decided that we (and Hallen FC) had a license for occupation of the centre and that this would be satisfactory to their auditors. The terms of this so-called licence never materialised. So much money wasted on solicitors to still end up with no actual documentation formalising the agreement. This is always portrayed as the management committee being uncooperative when in fact it was APC who were uncooperative. When challenged on these issues it is always easy for them to blame the previous councillors, clerks and solicitors but never take any responsibility themselves.
The Hallen management committee worked very hard to maintain the facility for the local community and either, as the accounts show, broke even or made a small profit every year, so with some help from APC we would have been economically viable. Hallen is surely entitled to some help from the parish council. Especially after having been saddled with a hall that it could never hope to use to it’s full capacity as the village only consists of around 200 households, many of whom are pensioners. Also we would like to point out that during the recession many small businesses folded and we managed to make it through, despite the road into Hallen being closed for a long period of time and bookings being cancelled due to lack of access.
As for Hallen FC, yes they were happy to pay a rent of £1000 per month and they were running the centre for APC during this time. APC state that they were not involved in any arrangements for other clubs using the centre and that HFC could retain any income generated yet when Bristol Rovers Academy started using the facilities they stepped in and went to Bristol Rovers behind HFC’S back and informed them they should be paying money to APC not the football club. It is no wonder that Bristol Rovers decided not to continue their involvement after that. This would indeed have alleviated the financial situation had APC not interfered.
As to the request from another football club to ground share with Hallen FC, this was not ‘flatly refused’ by HFC. Several meetings were held with the other club, one of which was attended and recorded by APC and they were fully aware that negotiations took place starting from November 2011 through to March 2012. In fact, HFC agreed to the ground share in principle, despite the fact that the other team would take precedence over HFC on fixtures. Hallen Management committee and the other team were asked by APC to both consider a rent of £12,000 p.a with a two week deadline being given for a response. However, the other team did not come back to us with an offer and therefore the management committee had a meeting, attended by 2 parish councillors, wherein it was decided not to continue negotiations. One of the parish councillors voted with the management committee and the other against. In what way can this be described as ‘flatly refusing’? Just another way that APC portray the people who run the centre on their behalf as uncooperative.
Issued by Hallen AFC in response to APC statement...as they say always two sides to every story
APC repeatedly claim that they have tried to find a way to make the centre ‘economically viable’ yet we have seen no evidence of this. They claim to be having ongoing discussions with ‘interested parties’ who may or may not allow HFC to stay. If that is the case, why ask HFC to leave and not give them any information? How long have these negotiations been going on? Details can remain confidential but assurances could have been given that might have prevented all the bad feeling.
APC have not informed any villagers or other users of the centre of their decision to ask HFC to leave. We find this inexcusable. APC state that no one has shown any interest in the centre being community run. After the way all previous groups who have tried to do this have been treated by APC can they really be surprised?
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Bridgeman
Alfie Biggs
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,549
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Post by Bridgeman on May 30, 2015 15:49:33 GMT
Well there always are two sides to every story, lets hope someone with a bit of commonsense can bring this ongoing situation to a satisfactory conclusion.
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Post by michaelb on May 30, 2015 15:53:37 GMT
I played for Hallen for a couple of seasons, great playing surface and a well run club will be tragic to lose them. Frank Fairman would not be a happy man thats for sure
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harrybuckle
Always look on the bright side
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 5,567
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Post by harrybuckle on May 30, 2015 17:43:41 GMT
I payed for Hallen for a couple of seasons, great playing surface and a well run club will be tragic to lose them. Frank Fairman would not be a happy man thats for sure if you PAID for them for two seasons can you pay again next season and keep them going ?
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Post by Westcountry Gas on May 30, 2015 19:41:43 GMT
If this was a boxing match, i think the council have landed a knockout blow with there statement, 2 sides to every story, i think the support for Hallen will quickly dwindle now the council have been given a chance to speak.
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JeffNZ
Administrator
Jimmy Morgan
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,761
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Post by JeffNZ on May 30, 2015 21:03:56 GMT
If this was a boxing match, i think the council have landed a knockout blow with there statement, 2 sides to every story, i think the support for Hallen will quickly dwindle now the council have been given a chance to speak. Well the response by Hallen FC (See HBs post above) does not put APC in a good light at all. At best APC are stretching the truth, at worse lying about how both parties have got to this stage. |
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harrybuckle
Always look on the bright side
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 5,567
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Post by harrybuckle on May 31, 2015 6:24:26 GMT
two sides to every argument
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Post by fanatical on Jun 1, 2015 12:36:55 GMT
Following the statement released by Almondsbury Parish Council yesterday, we would like to take this opportunity to correct all the inaccuracies and put the record straight. Just over a year ago the Hallen Management Committee did resign ‘en bloc’ (after giving APC 7 months notice). In our letter of resignation the lease was not even mentioned. Our reasons were that we felt we were being undermined by APC and that our efforts to run the centre were being judged to be insufficient. We further felt that a new committee might be able to forge better relationships with APC and ensure the continuation of the centre as our committee had come to the end of any attempts to be reasonable with Cllr Hilliker. His unnecessary actions (from which he eventually always backed down) led to untold stress for the small committee, who were volunteers and did not have access to the same resources as APC to fight legal battles. As for the lease, this has been an ongoing issue for the whole of the time that the centre has been open. The original committee and parish council of the time did not put any lease in place as the parish council simply stopped replying to requests for lease updates. APC then brought up the matter of the lease again in 2007 and after they agreed to pay the legal costs for us we went ahead and employed a solicitor. At this time we agreed that a clause would be inserted into the original lease that would limit the committees liability to the assets of the club, the parish council agreed this too. However, our solicitor then discovered that according to our constitution, we were legally unable to sign a lease. He then approached APC to change the constitution and they replied through their solicitors (Wards) that they were not happy with changing the constitution. From this point we were unable to proceed with the lease and again APC stopped communications on the subject. The issue came to the fore again in 2011 and APC’s new solicitor (Alan Hodge) tried to bully the management committee into accepting that even though the original lease had never been signed, as we had undertaken the ‘substantive performance’ of it we were liable, including the repair obligation. APC offered to restrict our repair obligation if we would agree to sign and complete the lease as they were under pressure from auditors to complete the formalities. Again, our solicitor pointed out that we had never been in a legal position to sign a lease and never would be until APC allowed the changes to the constitution. APC then completely changed tack and decided that we (and Hallen FC) had a license for occupation of the centre and that this would be satisfactory to their auditors. The terms of this so-called licence never materialised. So much money wasted on solicitors to still end up with no actual documentation formalising the agreement. This is always portrayed as the management committee being uncooperative when in fact it was APC who were uncooperative. When challenged on these issues it is always easy for them to blame the previous councillors, clerks and solicitors but never take any responsibility themselves. The Hallen management committee worked very hard to maintain the facility for the local community and either, as the accounts show, broke even or made a small profit every year, so with some help from APC we would have been economically viable. Hallen is surely entitled to some help from the parish council. Especially after having been saddled with a hall that it could never hope to use to it’s full capacity as the village only consists of around 200 households, many of whom are pensioners. Also we would like to point out that during the recession many small businesses folded and we managed to make it through, despite the road into Hallen being closed for a long period of time and bookings being cancelled due to lack of access. As for Hallen FC, yes they were happy to pay a rent of £1000 per month and they were running the centre for APC during this time. APC state that they were not involved in any arrangements for other clubs using the centre and that HFC could retain any income generated yet when Bristol Rovers Academy started using the facilities they stepped in and went to Bristol Rovers behind HFC’S back and informed them they should be paying money to APC not the football club. It is no wonder that Bristol Rovers decided not to continue their involvement after that. This would indeed have alleviated the financial situation had APC not interfered. As to the request from another football club to ground share with Hallen FC, this was not ‘flatly refused’ by HFC. Several meetings were held with the other club, one of which was attended and recorded by APC and they were fully aware that negotiations took place starting from November 2011 through to March 2012. In fact, HFC agreed to the ground share in principle, despite the fact that the other team would take precedence over HFC on fixtures. Hallen Management committee and the other team were asked by APC to both consider a rent of £12,000 p.a with a two week deadline being given for a response. However, the other team did not come back to us with an offer and therefore the management committee had a meeting, attended by 2 parish councillors, wherein it was decided not to continue negotiations. One of the parish councillors voted with the management committee and the other against. In what way can this be described as ‘flatly refusing’? Just another way that APC portray the people who run the centre on their behalf as uncooperative. Issued by Hallen AFC in response to APC statement...as they say always two sides to every story APC repeatedly claim that they have tried to find a way to make the centre ‘economically viable’ yet we have seen no evidence of this. They claim to be having ongoing discussions with ‘interested parties’ who may or may not allow HFC to stay. If that is the case, why ask HFC to leave and not give them any information? How long have these negotiations been going on? Details can remain confidential but assurances could have been given that might have prevented all the bad feeling. APC have not informed any villagers or other users of the centre of their decision to ask HFC to leave. We find this inexcusable. APC state that no one has shown any interest in the centre being community run. After the way all previous groups who have tried to do this have been treated by APC can they really be surprised? As I have indicated before - someone is out to make money out of this situation - which one (or is it two) of APC is looking to profit? |
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harrybuckle
Always look on the bright side
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 5,567
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Post by harrybuckle on Jun 1, 2015 14:59:46 GMT
Following the statement released by Almondsbury Parish Council yesterday, we would like to take this opportunity to correct all the inaccuracies and put the record straight. Just over a year ago the Hallen Management Committee did resign ‘en bloc’ (after giving APC 7 months notice). In our letter of resignation the lease was not even mentioned. Our reasons were that we felt we were being undermined by APC and that our efforts to run the centre were being judged to be insufficient. We further felt that a new committee might be able to forge better relationships with APC and ensure the continuation of the centre as our committee had come to the end of any attempts to be reasonable with Cllr Hilliker. His unnecessary actions (from which he eventually always backed down) led to untold stress for the small committee, who were volunteers and did not have access to the same resources as APC to fight legal battles. As for the lease, this has been an ongoing issue for the whole of the time that the centre has been open. The original committee and parish council of the time did not put any lease in place as the parish council simply stopped replying to requests for lease updates. APC then brought up the matter of the lease again in 2007 and after they agreed to pay the legal costs for us we went ahead and employed a solicitor. At this time we agreed that a clause would be inserted into the original lease that would limit the committees liability to the assets of the club, the parish council agreed this too. However, our solicitor then discovered that according to our constitution, we were legally unable to sign a lease. He then approached APC to change the constitution and they replied through their solicitors (Wards) that they were not happy with changing the constitution. From this point we were unable to proceed with the lease and again APC stopped communications on the subject. The issue came to the fore again in 2011 and APC’s new solicitor (Alan Hodge) tried to bully the management committee into accepting that even though the original lease had never been signed, as we had undertaken the ‘substantive performance’ of it we were liable, including the repair obligation. APC offered to restrict our repair obligation if we would agree to sign and complete the lease as they were under pressure from auditors to complete the formalities. Again, our solicitor pointed out that we had never been in a legal position to sign a lease and never would be until APC allowed the changes to the constitution. APC then completely changed tack and decided that we (and Hallen FC) had a license for occupation of the centre and that this would be satisfactory to their auditors. The terms of this so-called licence never materialised. So much money wasted on solicitors to still end up with no actual documentation formalising the agreement. This is always portrayed as the management committee being uncooperative when in fact it was APC who were uncooperative. When challenged on these issues it is always easy for them to blame the previous councillors, clerks and solicitors but never take any responsibility themselves. The Hallen management committee worked very hard to maintain the facility for the local community and either, as the accounts show, broke even or made a small profit every year, so with some help from APC we would have been economically viable. Hallen is surely entitled to some help from the parish council. Especially after having been saddled with a hall that it could never hope to use to it’s full capacity as the village only consists of around 200 households, many of whom are pensioners. Also we would like to point out that during the recession many small businesses folded and we managed to make it through, despite the road into Hallen being closed for a long period of time and bookings being cancelled due to lack of access. As for Hallen FC, yes they were happy to pay a rent of £1000 per month and they were running the centre for APC during this time. APC state that they were not involved in any arrangements for other clubs using the centre and that HFC could retain any income generated yet when Bristol Rovers Academy started using the facilities they stepped in and went to Bristol Rovers behind HFC’S back and informed them they should be paying money to APC not the football club. It is no wonder that Bristol Rovers decided not to continue their involvement after that. This would indeed have alleviated the financial situation had APC not interfered. As to the request from another football club to ground share with Hallen FC, this was not ‘flatly refused’ by HFC. Several meetings were held with the other club, one of which was attended and recorded by APC and they were fully aware that negotiations took place starting from November 2011 through to March 2012. In fact, HFC agreed to the ground share in principle, despite the fact that the other team would take precedence over HFC on fixtures. Hallen Management committee and the other team were asked by APC to both consider a rent of £12,000 p.a with a two week deadline being given for a response. However, the other team did not come back to us with an offer and therefore the management committee had a meeting, attended by 2 parish councillors, wherein it was decided not to continue negotiations. One of the parish councillors voted with the management committee and the other against. In what way can this be described as ‘flatly refusing’? Just another way that APC portray the people who run the centre on their behalf as uncooperative. Issued by Hallen AFC in response to APC statement...as they say always two sides to every story APC repeatedly claim that they have tried to find a way to make the centre ‘economically viable’ yet we have seen no evidence of this. They claim to be having ongoing discussions with ‘interested parties’ who may or may not allow HFC to stay. If that is the case, why ask HFC to leave and not give them any information? How long have these negotiations been going on? Details can remain confidential but assurances could have been given that might have prevented all the bad feeling. APC have not informed any villagers or other users of the centre of their decision to ask HFC to leave. We find this inexcusable. APC state that no one has shown any interest in the centre being community run. After the way all previous groups who have tried to do this have been treated by APC can they really be surprised? As I have indicated before - someone is out to make money out of this situation - which one (or is it two) of APC is looking to profit? Probably the two sides solicitors ...saw the tv interview with Fairman said they would stay put ...end of day they have to raise £8k ...they have 600 members you do the maths Not even a pint of beer per member .... |
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Post by fanatical on Jun 1, 2015 21:40:41 GMT
As I have indicated before - someone is out to make money out of this situation - which one (or is it two) of APC is looking to profit? Probably the two sides solicitors ...saw the tv interview with Fairman said they would stay put ...end of day they have to raise £8k ...they have 600 members you do the maths Not even a pint of beer per member .... £13 each on top of the money they already pay (£12000)- and many/most of the members are children! I am sure they would welcome your donation Harrybuckle. |
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Bridgeman
Alfie Biggs
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,549
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Post by Bridgeman on Jun 1, 2015 23:28:51 GMT
Probably the two sides solicitors ...saw the tv interview with Fairman said they would stay put ...end of day they have to raise £8k ...they have 600 members you do the maths Not even a pint of beer per member .... £13 each on top of the money they already pay (£12000)- and many/most of the members are children! I am sure they would welcome your donation Harrybuckle. About £1.10 extra per month to keep your club going and maintain the facilities, doesn't seem a lot but of course we don't know everyone's personal circumstances. |
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Post by fanatical on Jun 2, 2015 8:22:37 GMT
£13 each on top of the money they already pay (£12000)- and many/most of the members are children! I am sure they would welcome your donation Harrybuckle. About £1.10 extra per month to keep your club going and maintain the facilities, doesn't seem a lot but of course we don't know everyone's personal circumstances. But they are being asked to pay to keep the facility open for other users. As you are a wealthy person Bridgeman - please forward your donation. |
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harrybuckle
Always look on the bright side
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 5,567
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Post by harrybuckle on Jun 2, 2015 13:01:40 GMT
I am giving my money to Bath City and BRFC ...HALLEN AFC according to Radio Bris are now buying their ground themselves. So it appears the problem is now solved.
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Post by Finnish Gas on Jun 2, 2015 14:01:55 GMT
Almondsbury Parish Council Meeting Tonight - Tuesday (June 2) at the Old School Hall in Almondsbury.
Who is going?
Hallen AFC says will not hand back keys to Hallen Centre as it seeks discussions with Almondsbury Parish Council
First published Saturday 30 May 2015 in
FOLLOWING an outpouring of support from across the world Hallen AFC has announced that they will not be handing over the keys to the centre on Sunday.
The statement reads: "We delivered a letter to the solicitors of Almondsbury Parish Council. We have stated that we will not be handing the keys back, whilst continuing to pay the current rent, until they share their intentions with us and we can discuss the situation sensibly.
"We have made this decision having considered lawfulness regarding the relationship between landlord and tenant. We also believe that the village parishioners should be properly consulted before any action by APC takes place."
Almondsbury Parish Council have denied that they are evicting the football club from its Moorhouse Lane ground.
The statement also encourages supporters to attend the parish council's next meeting on Tuesday (June 2) at the Old School Hall in Almondsbury.
www.gazetteseries.co.uk/news/12981254._/
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2015 15:05:55 GMT
I've been told Salisbury will be joining the Western Premier, make of that what you will...
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harrybuckle
Always look on the bright side
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 5,567
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Post by harrybuckle on Jun 2, 2015 15:58:58 GMT
Rebels without a cause and not even two pennies to buy the site...if they cant afford the rent what chance buying the whole ground. Answers on a postcard please
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Post by Finnish Gas on Jun 2, 2015 16:16:37 GMT
I've been told Salisbury will be joining the Western Premier, make of that what you will... Nothing on the League website yet - www.toolstationleague.com/ - although I note Chipping Sodbury Town are joining Division One. I think that you find that Salisbury are in the Wessex Premier - refer - wessexleague.co.uk/ |
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Bridgeman
Alfie Biggs
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,549
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Post by Bridgeman on Jun 2, 2015 18:15:19 GMT
About £1.10 extra per month to keep your club going and maintain the facilities, doesn't seem a lot but of course we don't know everyone's personal circumstances. But they are being asked to pay to keep the facility open for other users. As you are a wealthy person Bridgeman - please forward your donation. According to others on this thread Hallen FC appear not to need my donation, as they are buying the ground. If they want a community resource then it has to be paid for, when I took my lad to play for his local football club we all paid subs towards the running of it. |
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Post by fanatical on Jun 4, 2015 8:59:22 GMT
But they are being asked to pay to keep the facility open for other users. As you are a wealthy person Bridgeman - please forward your donation. According to others on this thread Hallen FC appear not to need my donation, as they are buying the ground. If they want a community resource then it has to be paid for, when I took my lad to play for his local football club we all paid subs towards the running of it. and the members of Hallen FC have been doing that for many years.(including a massive increase 12 months ago) However there was a management committee for the facility who ran the facility and booked it out to other groups which covered the cost of the facilities. Almondsbury Parish Council forced the committee out last year and that is where the actions of the Councillors becomes somewhat suspicious in that they now require HFC to cover all shortfall. Since then APC have been in secret conversation with an 'interested' party - dont be surprised to see the caravans roll in. |
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