CONGRATULATIONS
Birmingham & Solihull have finished top of National League 2. They had a convincing campaign, playing awesome rugby; affirmed by the fact they were the only team to score more than 1,000 points.
The bad news is that due to poor local support, the club now face financial ruin, and no place to play. Their current ground (Sharmans Cross Road) is not fit for purpose, and due to the greed of some councillors won't be expanded (as it makes much more financial sense to them to put houses up on the land).
This is a press release from Bees Rugby:
With Birmingham & Solihull’s application for the change of land use at Sharmans Cross Road back with the planning authorities now is the time to voice your support for the club’s future.
Sharmans Cross Road has long been recognised as not fit for purpose for a club playing at a national league level and what’s worse is that the site has no capacity to be brought up to standard. A lack of space, difficult access, inadequate parking and floodlighting are the principal problems but a proposed ground-share scheme with Solihull Moors FC at Damson Park wouldn’t just provide a solution to the Bees’ and Club's immediate requirements but establish the following in conjunction with the launch of a Solihull Sporting Partnership:
• the funding and creation of a sustainable Community Foundation
• the creation of a sporting hub to facilitate participation from the surrounding community and schools in the north of the Borough
• expansion of the community/sports development work of both B&SRFC and SMFC
• creation of a 3G all weather pitch for use by both clubs and the community
• development of a showcase sporting facility in the Borough promoted for and available for club, community and school use
To lend your support to the development and future of Birmingham & Solihull RFC choose from the following options:
1) Sign our petition this Saturday at the Redruth game (25.04.09) *
OR...
AND...
3) Write to or email your local Councillors expressing support for the application (please reference Application No. 2009/339 in all correspondence) **
4) Write to or email Solihull Council’s Planning Authorities expressing your support (please reference Application No. 2009/339 in all correspondence) ***
All we ask is that you take immediate action and together we can turn what is a fantastic opportunity into a reality for everybody.
* Please either hard copy or electronically sign our petitions, (not both, to avoid duplication) - thank you.
** Councillors' addresses:
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
Council House
Solihull
B91 3QS
Email:
Councillor Ken Meeson, Leader of the Conservatives: [email protected]
Councillor Norman Davies, Leader of the Liberal Democrats: [email protected]
Councillor Mick Corser, Leader of Labour: [email protected]
If you live in the St Alphege ward please also correspond with:
Councillor Joe Tildesley: [email protected]
Councillor Kate Wild: [email protected]
*** Planning Authority address:
FAO Carol Stephens
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
Planning Services
PO Box 11652
Solihull
B91 9YA
Email: [email protected]