As we approach the end of another busy year at The New Croft, we want to take a moment to reflect on what has been a vibrant, challenging, and ultimately rewarding 12 months for our venue and our community.
Throughout the year, The New Croft has remained a place where people come together to celebrate, connect, and create memories. We are proud to host a wide variety of events, including weddings, birthday celebrations, school proms, business meetings and private functions, alongside our popular regular activities such as monthly Bingo Nights.
Some real highlights from the year included our fantastic Annual Summer Fayre, a sold-out Annual Firework Night, and a range of festive activities, including our successful Christmas Wreath Making Workshop. We also enjoyed some great entertainment evenings, such as Drag Night and Butler in the Buff, and welcomed sporting legends and supporters to our Sportsman Dinner with Stuart Pearce, held in support of Haverhill Rovers FC.
In August, we proudly launched our new website, making it easier than ever for customers to book our facility online, such as 3G pitch hire, a big step forward in improving accessibility and convenience.
Looking ahead, November also marked an exciting milestone as works began on three new padel courts, which we’re thrilled to be bringing to the community. Works on these courts will hopefully be completed in March/April 2026.
Beyond events and hires, supporting our local community remains at the heart of everything we do. This year, we supported Ruby Grey, a talented local young darts player, and gave back in numerous ways by providing space free of charge to charitable and community groups, as well as supporting local fundraising efforts whenever possible.
None of this would be possible without the incredible support of our partners and sponsors. A huge thank you goes to Urban Network, who became our official IT Management and Cybersecurity Partner in July, and to JR Crane, who renewed their facility sponsorship for a fourth year. We’re also extremely grateful to our ongoing sponsors and partners: Haverhill Electrical, Greene King, HRFC, Haverhill Borough FC, US Sports Scholarships, and The New Croft Foundation.
We’d also like to thank our loyal hirers, including Jo Jingles, Slimming World, NHS Blood, Next Level Fitness, Prestige Sports, Wildblades and the local football teams, and many others who choose The New Croft as their regular venue. Your support helps keep our doors open and our community thriving.
Most importantly, we want to recognise our hard-working staff and volunteers. Their dedication, flexibility and commitment, often behind the scenes, are what truly make The New Croft what it is. We are incredibly thankful for everything they do.
We also feel it’s important to be open and honest. Like many organisations, this year has not been without its challenges. Rising costs and the ongoing cost-of-living pressures have made sales tougher, and every booking, hire and event genuinely matters. The New Croft operates as a not-for-profit company, working closely alongside The New Croft Foundation, which is a registered charity. Together, we work hard to sustain the venue, reinvest into facilities, and ensure the space remains accessible to the community. We are not backed by large financial reserves, and ongoing community support is essential to our future.
As we close the year, we want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported The New Croft in any way, whether by attending an event, hiring a space, sponsoring, partnering, volunteering, or simply spreading the word through social media & word of mouth.
From all of us at The New Croft, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We look forward to welcoming you to our family-friendly New Year’s Eve Party, and if not before, welcoming you back in 2026.
