Category: Latest News

The Ware community is being encouraged to step up for Wodson Park this summer as supporters prepare to take on a 27-mile fundraising challenge to support the charity.

The Waterloo to Wodson walk, organised by French and Day Delicatessen in partnership with Wodson Park, will take place on Sunday, June 28, bringing together Ware residents, families, businesses and community groups in support of Friends of Wodson Park.

Participants will set off from London Waterloo Station before making the marathon-length journey back to Wodson Park, raising vital funds to help support the charity’s work and community initiatives.

The fundraiser aims to bring together residents, families, businesses and community groups in a shared effort centred on wellbeing, participation and local pride. Organisers hope supporters of all ages and abilities will get involved, whether by taking part in the walk itself or donating through the event’s JustGiving page.

Jan Stock, CEO of Wodson Park, said: “We’re delighted to see Wodson Park at the heart of another community-led initiative. Our aim has always been to provide a space where people can come together, stay active and feel part of something bigger and this event reflects that perfectly.

“It’s fantastic to be working alongside French and Day Delicatessen. Partnerships like this help strengthen local ties and ensure Wodson Park continues to be a welcoming hub for the whole community.”

The event builds on the success of French and Day Delicatessen’s 2025 Trek to the Tower fundraiser, which saw participants walk 26 miles from the café in Ware to the Tower of London. Following the success of last year’s challenge, organisers are encouraging customers, residents and businesses to once again get behind the event.

Thomas Day and Thomas French, founders of French and Day Delicatessen, said: “Ware is so lucky to have an amazing sports and leisure facility like Wodson Park and we want to do our bit to support it. Many people may not realise that Wodson Park is a charity because of the huge range of facilities and activities it provides. It’s far more than just a sports centre and plays an important role in supporting wellbeing and bringing people together across Ware.

“We’re really excited to see people come together for a great cause – now we’re just hoping for good weather on the day.”

Once walkers arrive back at Wodson Park, they will be invited to celebrate their achievement at a drinks reception in the Old Charm Bar, with friends and family encouraged to join in the festivities.

Thomas Day said: “The beauty of finishing back in Ware is that we can invite friends and family to join us at the end of the walk and celebrate together. It’s about community as much as fundraising.”

Get involved today

Whether you’re taking on the full 27 miles, making a donation or cheering walkers across the finish line, your support will help make a lasting difference to Wodson Park and the people it serves.

Every contribution helps Wodson Park continue providing accessible facilities, community programmes and opportunities that support health, wellbeing and connection across Ware.

To support the Waterloo to Wodson challenge, please donate via: https://www.justgiving.com/page/waterloo-to-wodson

Ware Shares Christmas Offer

With Wodson Park set to close for Christmas between the 25^th – 29^th December, Ware Shares is running a festive borrowing bargain this Christmas.

Tools can be collected by close of business on 23rd December and returned by early close of business on 2nd January, giving you 11 days of borrowing for the price of just 1.5 days.

It’s the perfect opportunity to tackle DIY projects, festive fixes or New Year jobs without the cost of buying new tools. A great deal, great value and a great way to share this Christmas.

To learn more about Ware Shares, visit: Ware Shares | Rent useful items from Library of Things

Wodson Park is proud to support an exciting initiative launching this October – and we’re calling on all our members to get involved.

Starting Tuesday, October 14, Ware Shares, a community project by Ware Town Council, will officially open its new base right here at Wodson Park.

Inspired by the successful Library of Things model, Ware Shares lets residents borrow useful household items, tools and equipment that they might only need occasionally.

Whether it’s a drill for a DIY job, gardening gear or a sewing machine, members can rent items for just a few pounds a day – cutting costs, reducing clutter and helping the planet.

How it works

Once signed up, members can browse available items online, book what they need and then simply collect them from self-service lockers located here at Wodson Park. It’s quick, easy and sustainable.

Why join Ware Shares?

By taking part in Ware Shares, you’ll enjoy a range of benefits:

• Save money – by renting tools instead of buying them for one-time use.
• Reduce waste – cut down on unnecessary purchases and landfill.
• Learn and create – try new hobbies or tackle projects without needing to invest in new equipment.

Give back by sharing

Do you have tools or household items in good condition that you no longer use? Sharing them is a great way to give back to your community while freeing up space at home.

We’re encouraging all our Wodson members to get behind this initiative – whether by borrowing, donating or spreading the word. It’s an easy way to save money, support sustainability and strengthen our local community.

Get involved

To sign up or learn more, visit: Ware Shares | Rent useful items from Library of Things

We’re calling on our amazing community to help us bring brighter, greener nights to the pitch – and support the future of youth football right here at Wodson Park.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Football Foundation, we’ve secured 70 per cent of the funding we need to upgrade our ageing floodlight system to modern, energy-efficient LED lighting. But we still need to raise £10,000 – and we can’t do it without your help.

Why it matters

Right now, our football pitch is lit by 24 old metal halide bulbs – technology that’s more than 20 years old. These lights are expensive to run, difficult to maintain and increasingly hard to replace.

Switching to LED floodlights will:

• Cut our energy bills
• Reduce maintenance costs
• Lower our carbon footprint
• Create a brighter, safer environment for players

Most importantly, it means our local youth teams can keep training safely throughout the darker winter months – helping young athletes stay active, connected and supported through sport.

Helping the community

We’re working closely with Friends of Wodson Park, a dedicated group of volunteers who support our centre, to raise the remaining funds.

We’re incredibly grateful to the Football Foundation for their support. But as a charity, we simply don’t have £10,000 sitting in the bank. We urgently need help from our community to get this project over the line. We’re calling on local businesses, residents, sports fans – anyone who believes in the power of community sport – to help us make this happen.

If you’ve ever played here, trained here, brought your kids here or just believe in keeping community sport alive – this is your chance to make a real impact.

Together, let’s light up the pitch and light the way for the next generation of footballers.

 To donate to the fundraising, visit https://justgiving.com/charity/wodsonparktrust

Wodson Park’s Chairman, Stuart Storey, had a royal day out at Windsor Castle for his investiture after being awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours.

Stuart, a legendary athletics commentator and former international hurdler, was presented with his prestigious medal by the Princess Royal.

His wife Shirley and sons James and Ben were there to witness the special occasion.

The 82-year-old said: “It was the first time I had been to Windsor Castle. Once in the castle we were ushered into the first of the magnificent rooms allocated to recipients at which point, looking at the programme, it was clear that having a surname beginning with S was not an advantage as it was all done in alphabetical order!

“Having said that it was a slick operation. We were led into the spacious Waterloo Chamber where we received our final instructions on where to stand and how to approach the Princess Royal. 

“I had met the Princess Royal on several occasions – the last time when she was the guest of honour when I hosted the British Armed Services awards in the West End.”

Stuart received his MBE on the same day Sir Alan Bates was knighted for his battle against the Post Office.

“What a charming gentlemen he is. I had a brief chat with him offering my congratulations and wishing him well in his continued battle.”

After the formalities were completed, Stuart and his family headed for a congratulatory drink at a nearby pub, before heading home for a celebration dinner.