Page 4 - Everton Welcome Book Artwork Proof 20pp

THE METCALFE CHARITABLE TRUST
The History by Mr R Kewarth
It was founded by the the will of the the Rev William Harland Metcalfe Metcalfe whose photograph hangs in the the the Village Hall The Rev Metcalfe Metcalfe was the the the the Vicar of Everton for a a a a a a a a a a short period then resigned the the the living and became a a a a a a a a a a gentleman farmer at Carr Farm Everton He employed several village residents and and was a a a a a a a a a a most benevolent employer He died in in 1944 and and his his his tomb is is is is in in Everton Cemetery In his his his will he he he he bequeathed the the the bulk of of his his his assets to to to to to the the the parishioners of of Everton and Scaftworth to to to provide provide amenities for for their use It was his express wish that a a a a a a should be provided for for the the parishioners Prior to to the the 1939-45 War Everton had a a a a a a a a cricket and football team Matches were played on on on the field next to to Hall Farm by permission of Mr Mr Jaques After the the the the War the the the the football team played on on Mr Mr Moorehousels field at at the the the the the bottom of the the the the the hill down Sluice Lane Each match morning the the the the team had to to turn out to to remove the the the mole hills before the the the the Referee arrived In 1946 probate of the the the will was granted the the the Executors were Mr Mr C J Strachen M M M B E E E and and Mr Mr Albert Harland The The money was was invested by the Executors in in London property property which was was farsighted The The property property increased greatly in in value and added to the capital when subsequently sold No ground suitable for a a a a a a a a Recreation Ground in the the Village was available until 1947 Then the the White House House (now Metcalfe House) with
a a a a a a a a a a a six acre paddock paddock became available Plans to purchase the the house and and paddock paddock were discussed with
the the Parish Council and and it it was bought in in in 1948 for for £3000 Converting the paddock into an an area for for football and cricket involved considerable levelling as as it had a a a a a a a a a a slope from the the house to the the east This was achieved at a a a a a a a a a a a a a a small cost by Mr Stallard Managing Director of of Marshalls of of Gainsborough who manufactured and tested earth-moving machinery The project took until 1952 because following the the the War there were Government restrictions on on on on the the the amount of of money which could be spent on on on on on work The Official Opening of of the Ground was on on on on 30 June 1956 by Mr G G G F F Gibson Chairman
of the the Notts Playing Fields Association This was a a a a a a a a a a a a great day in in in in in the the village Celebrations were arranged including coaching displays by both County and National Coaches covering a a a a a a a a a a a a wide range of sports The facilities were much as they are today football and cricket tennis courts bowls green children’s playground and the tea room complex Metcalfe House was converted into a a a a a a a maisonette for for letting and a a a a a a a a a flat for for the Groundsman plus two changing rooms The Village Institute was already in in in the the possession of of of the the the the Trust having been part of of of the the the the original estate of of of of the the the the Rev W H Metcalfe The management continued in in in the the the the hands of of the the the Executor assisted by a a a a a a a a local Committee consisting of of representatives of of the the village 45