Cowes ‘Picnic in the Park’ serves up donations for Tennis and Sailability
On Tuesday 12th February Maureen Wroath, Chair of Cowes Picnic in the Park and Susie Sheldon, Lord Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, presented Gill Corby with a cheque for £500 for Tennis in the Park.
Northwood House Tennis in the Park was selected to receive the donation to help continue to provide access to the courts for groups in the community who might not otherwise be able to enjoy the fun and exercise benefits of tennis. Equipment and sports wheelchairs are available for loan and coaching sessions are scheduled regularly.
Trish Rooke, Fundraising officer of Cowes Sailability also accepted a cheque for £500 for their efforts providing sailing and boating opportunities for adults and children with disabilities.
“Tennis in the Park and Cowes Sailability are super initiatives to encourage people with limited opportunities to take part in outdoor activity.” said Maureen Wroath. “It’s great that local community members share their enthusiasm for these sports, carry out so much fundraising and volunteer their time to make facilities available.”
Gill Corby commented “We are delighted to receive this donation and will be putting the funds towards providing free tennis coaching for children over the summer.”
Trish Rooke added “Our donation will help with the running costs of our support boat Zebedee that accompanies our two Drascombe Longboats on the water.”
The 7th annual Cowes Picnic in the Park will take place on Sunday 7th June 2020. For details visit https://www.cowesbiglunch.org.
About Cowes Picnic in the Park
Cowes Picnic in the Park is an annual event bringing the Cowes community together in the grounds of Northwood House. Many Cowes businesses and organisations contribute funding and time to put together this free event. Residents and visitors are encouraged to get together with friends and family, bring a picnic and enjoy the live entertainment, children’s Games Arena, Giant Fun Dog Show and Cowes Bake-Off Competition. Details are available at cowesbiglunch.org. Charities and good causes are invited along to showcase themselves. Money raised on the day is given to charities that support the local community.
In 2019 over 1,700 people came along and £1,000 was raised for local charities. Cowes Picnic in the Park is part of the National Big Lunch Event started by the Eden Project in 2009. Now over six million people take part across the UK.
— ends —
About Northwood House
Northwood House is an iconic grade II* listed Georgian manor house set in beautiful Northwood Park in the heart of Cowes.
The Estate has a rich history of hosting events and celebrations of all kinds. Purchased in 1793 by George Ward, a successful London merchant, the House was rebuilt and extensively decorated by his son, George Henry Ward. Many lavish parties were thrown by the Wards throughout the Georgian and Victorian eras when the Island was a popular destination for the royal family.
The house was gifted to Cowes Urban District Council in 1929. In 2012 Northwood House Charitable Trust Co. Ltd was established to ensure the maintenance and development of the estate for the continued benefit of the residents and visitors to Cowes.
Recent press releases are available at https://www.northwoodhouse.org/charitable-trust/newsroom/
About Northwood House Tennis in the Park
The size courts situated in the grounds of Northwood House are the largest public courts on the Isle of Wight. A team of tennis enthusiasts committed to making sport accessible to all run this community facility. Social tennis, events and coaching for players of all abilities and ages is on offer.
The courts have recently been resurfaced thanks to a generous grant from the Beaverbrook Foundation. Two multi-use courts now have facilities for netball and basketball.
Coaching is available for beginners and improvers of all ages. Sports wheelchairs are available free of charge. The courts are within walking distance of local schools, Cowes Town centre and the Red Jet High Speed Ferry terminal. For more information visit https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/TennisintheparkCowes
About Cowes Sailability
Cowes Sailability Club is a registered charity that offers sailing and recreational boating opportunities for adults and children with physical disabilities, learning difficulties and debilitating long term conditions. You can find out more at https://cowessailability.co.uk
For further information please contact:
Northwood House Charitable Trust Co Ltd
The Trustee of Northwood House Charitable Trust – Registered Charity No 276153
Registered Office: Northwood House, Ward Avenue, Cowes, Isle of Wight PO31 8AZ
Registered Charity 1150641 | A Charitable Company: Reg No 8025757 | VAT No 158 5092 89
www.northwoodhouse.org| (01983) 293642
Maureen Wroath and Susie Sheldon present Gill Corby of Tennis in the Park with a cheque for £500
Maureen Wroath and Susie Sheldon present Trish Rooke of Cowes Sailability with a cheque for £500
Organisations involved in Cowes Picnic in the Park celebrate the donations made to Cowes Sailability and Northwood House Tennis in the Park. [Representatives from Cowes Sailability, Island Sailing Club, Classic Boat Museum, NRLI, Royal Yacht Squadron, Northwood House Charitable Trust Co Ltd, St Mary’s Church and Cowes Town Council pictured]