GEDNEY HILL PARISH COUNCIL: Parent’s appeal for playground to be taken up
A parent’s plea for children’s play equipment to be provided in Gedney Hill is to be taken forward by parish councillors.
During a meeting at the Memorial Hall on Monday, a letter from the parent was read out which stated that they go on a 13-mile round trip to Thorney with their children in order to use a play area there.
As a result, parish councillors are to look at the possibility of using a section of the playing field off North Road, subject to any conditions laid down historically for its use.
Coun Paul Redgate, chairman of Gedney Hill Parish Council, agreed to look at the parent’s request for a play area in the village as part of a “community project”.
He said: “The parish council is looking at the use of the playing field and considering options as we are aware that there’s funding available for children’s play equipment.
“But we need to understand the leasing agreement we have for the sports pavilion as regards what we can and can’t do before we commit to anything.
“I do know there was once some play equipment on the field but it has largely been destroyed.
“Provided there’s an opportunity to incorporate a play area on the site of the sports pavilion and playing field, we’ll look at it and consider it.”
The plea for a children's play area has come on the back of parish councillors trying to find new users of the sports pavilion after it was refurbished and reopened in April 2017.
At the time, ex-parish council chairman Coun David Mann said: "We once had a thriving football club whose players helped to build the sports pavilion nearly 20 years ago.
“But when the football club disbanded, we had a facility that was no longer in use.
“So, with the help of parishioners, we did some work on the sports pavilion and now we’re looking for people to hire it on a short or long-term basis.”
A meeting where villagers can give their views on a play area and the sports pavilion is expected to take place before the end of the year.
