Bourne United Charities scotch Facebook rumours of Abbey Lawn closure

A trust which runs a town recreation ground has quashed rumours on social media that it will be closed to the public.

Claims were made that public access to The Abbey Lawn, in Bourne, would be stopped.

The Abbey Lawn land is owned by Bourne United Charities, which also manages the Wellhead Park, and is home to the town’s football, cricket, tennis, bowls and petanque clubs, as well as Bourne Outdoor Swimming Pool.

Nick Legge, trust manager for Bourne United Charities said they had recently put more staffing into locking and opening the gates at weekends, having previously been done by club volunteers.

“We have no intention of closing off public access to the Lawns,” he confirmed.

The gates are locked overnight for security, with openings varying season by season.

During the summer, Abbey Lawn is open from 8am to 9pm every day.

A plaque installed on the main gates says the grounds were bought by BUC trustees between 1931 and 1934 to preserve them as ‘an open space for ever’.

The incorrect claims also suggested that the cricket club was behind the decision.

“As a cricket club we comply with what BUC say,” said club spokesperson, Hedley Stroud.

“The only restrictions, as far as we are concerned, are the opening and closing times which are set out on the entrance to the Abbey Lawn.”

The sports clubs have been unhappy about dog walkers failing to remove dog mess from the pitches.

Mr Stroud added: “We have no authority to police this as, as far as we are concerned, it’s BUC’s responsibility to put up the necessary signage and ensure enforcement for the safety of the playing of sport and, in our case cricket, on the Lawn.”