Youngsters in Ongar will not have a place for sport if plans to raise the rent on their club go ahead next year, parents fear.
The Ongar Social and Sport Club (OSSC), which runs the facilities at Love Lane, will be forced to wind up if the town council's proposed 875 per cent rent increase comes into force.
Angered parents and children attended the annual council meeting on April 17 to voice their concerns over the rent hike from £2,000 to £17,000.
"This is about legacy, about leaving something in place for our children and our children's children," said Ian Ballantyne, 53, of Willingale, whose son plays football.
"I am passionate about saving the club and cannot believe the council's position. The club brings so many people from the area together."
The concern and passion for the club was clearly shown, if not just by the sheer number in attendance who could barely squeeze into Budworth Hall, but also by the remarks and questions that were made by both children and parents.
"This is first day of what will be a long and hard fought battle for our community, I think the councillors had no idea how strong the feeling was, they know now," said Phillip Cranwell, 53, OSSC committee member.
"If they don't reconsider their position we will be bringing a petition together with more signatures on it than votes were cast at the town council elections."For the full story, see tomorrow's Ongar and North Weald Gazette.
The Ongar Social and Sport Club (OSSC), which runs the facilities at Love Lane, will be forced to wind up if the town council's proposed 875 per cent rent increase comes into force.
Angered parents and children attended the annual council meeting on April 17 to voice their concerns over the rent hike from £2,000 to £17,000.
"This is about legacy, about leaving something in place for our children and our children's children," said Ian Ballantyne, 53, of Willingale, whose son plays football.
"I am passionate about saving the club and cannot believe the council's position. The club brings so many people from the area together."
The concern and passion for the club was clearly shown, if not just by the sheer number in attendance who could barely squeeze into Budworth Hall, but also by the remarks and questions that were made by both children and parents.
"This is first day of what will be a long and hard fought battle for our community, I think the councillors had no idea how strong the feeling was, they know now," said Phillip Cranwell, 53, OSSC committee member.
"If they don't reconsider their position we will be bringing a petition together with more signatures on it than votes were cast at the town council elections."For the full story, see tomorrow's Ongar and North Weald Gazette.
