From Nigel Smethurst

Wednesday, 15 September 2010

I noticed on the summary of the events surrounding Miss Rusty's dismissal you state that:"Pressure was put on Salem Archery Club ... not to allow the picnic on their grounds"

The statement above contains a couple of inaccuracies which can hopefully be corrected:

By 'Salem Archery Club' you mean White Rose Archers, joint owners of Salem Fields with Hebden Bridge Cricket Club. I was present at the committee meeting when it was decided to refuse the request to use Salem Field. The refusal was entirely a club decision and no pressure was put on the club by anyone to influence our decision either for or against. We take our role as a community sports club seriously and consider requests to use our private grounds for community activities on an individual basis. It was felt that given the publicity surrounding the case, this event could get too big and had the potential to continue as an 'unofficial' party after the picnic had ended, with the possibility of litter, fires & noise nuisance, as has happened on a number of occasions in the past.

Regards,

Nigel Smethurst

Membership Secretary, White Rose Archers.