14th May1996 First meeting of villagers. The idea is explained, all present are enthusiastic, and Michael Eastwood offers to chair the project.

7th October 1996 A meeting that saw a committee voted in which then set about drawing up a constitution, deciding upon a name (SERP2000), initiating fundraising and evaluating the two parcels of land that had been offered.

20th June 1997 Open meeting held in the Village Hall. It had been hoped that a vote would be taken to choose between the two possible sites ie Mr Jewell’s land known as ‘the old infill site’ or Peter Dovey’s land known as ‘the old football field’. However, the meeting decided that more information was required concerning the relative costs of turning each site into suitable land for recreation purposes.

18th August 1997 Further advice having been sought, regarding costs of levelling and draining each site, it became obvious that ‘the old football field’ was the preferred site. During August a letter was delivered to every resident of Sherfield English explaining the committee’s decision go ahead with the purchase of Peter Dovey’s land and inviting comments and help.

24th November 1997 AGM. Michael Eastwood, having got the project underway, resigns as Chair and hands over to Stephen Dovey. No objections had been received to the decision to purchase Peter Dovey’s land and the only significant offer of help had been from Ray Dixon. Ray offered to use his company (MFD) to commission a site survey and obtain planning permission for change of use of the site.
Jan – May 1998 Stan Goodyear discovered from the Charity Commission that it was not possible for the School Trust to transfer money as they had wished. SERP2000 decided to initiate the process towards obtaining it’s own charitable status and work continued with trying to obtain planning permission and source alternative funding. All these activities were fraught with problems and delays.

May 1998 Mary Newman is now Chair of the School Trust and had the wonderful idea, approved by the Charity Commission, that the School Trust could sell some of it’s assets to purchase the land on behalf of the village.

26th August1998 Full planning permission finally received Many thanks to Ray Dixon for the services of his company (MFD) during a highly frustrating process. Now the School Trustees can begin their negotiations to purchase the land from Peter Dovey.

29th March 1999 Independent valuation of the land is now complete and a price agreed. Peter Dovey very generously accepting an offer for 6 acres that had originally been agreed for 5 acres. The purchase is now in the hands of solicitors.

30th July 1999 Purchase complete thanks to Mary Newman who has given a tremendous amount of time and effort to achieve this result.

August 1999 Unfortunately it now became apparent (via the Trust’s solicitor) that SERP2000 would be unable to manage the land under the umbrella of the School Trust. SERP2000 again started proceedings to acquire charitable status, as without it the School Trust (according to Charity Commission rules) cannot lease land for longer than 7 years at a time to a non-charitable organisation. Seven years is not long enough to give sufficient security of tenure for grant making bodies to consider SERP2000 a reliable investment.

Oct 1999 After valiantly persevering for many months, Harry Metcalfe secures a grant of £35000 from the local landfill site.