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December 9, 2007
Metheringham Parish Council Winter 2007 Update
From the Chairman
Playing Fields
Over a number of years the village has acquired almost eleven acres of superb playing fields for recreational and sporting activities. Some, like the Star and Garter field, was obtained after tremendous fund raising by the village. Other areas were bought by the Parish Council. However, by far, the largest section was acquired through a gift of land in 1927 and 1928 by Lord Londesborough. By all accounts this provided a much needed recreation area for the village but much of the land was little more than rough pasture. A condition of the gift was that the land would remain a recreation area in perpetuity. However, in the 1960’s, plans were being developed to expand the village. Permission was given to sell the “Rec” as it was known, provided new recreational areas were obtained. So started an ongoing need to provide recreational facilities for the village.
The original recreational land was sold in 1967 and land adjoining Princes Street was purchased. Over the years, thanks mainly to the work of willing volunteers, the village now has a playing field in which it can be justly proud. Part of the area purchased, some 1.5 acres, was sold to the County Council to enable them to build the Metheringham Primary School.
In June 1971 the Parish Council leased 5.6 acres adjoining the school site to the County Council for use as a school playing field. The terms of the lease gave exclusive use of an area three acres in extent for use by the school children during term time. Outside this time and the remaining area when not required by the school was for the use by the public as a playing field for organized games.
Over the years this arrangement worked well but now the Parish Council wish to develop new changing room facilities for the swimming pool and all users of the playing fields.
Is this the end of the road for the new pavilion and changing rooms?
After years of discussion we are no closer to reaching agreement with the Lincolnshire County Council over building our new pavilion and changing rooms on the sports field. They steadfastly maintain their position: for us to build would be against the terms of the lease. This is bureaucracy gone mad. We have a swimming pool in the leased area. We have a play park in the leased area. We have part of a car park in the leased area. Therefore why not a pavilion and changing rooms in the leased area, on land dedicated to sports?
Our proposal is to build the new facilities adjacent to the swimming pool, to provide modern changing rooms with showers and disabled toilets. These are sadly lacking at present. Football teams would, for the first time, have changing and shower arrangements befitting a major amateur club. It is proposed that the new development would meet the needs of the whole community and this includes use by the school. There is no logical reason for not building the new pavilion and changing rooms yet the County Council still says no.
The difficulty lies in providing a secure area for school games. The County Council would like to have our Star and Garter field, but to many in the village this is not an option, even in exchange for the current lease. The Parish Council has proposed that it will make a contribution to fencing the playing field and restricting access to the terms of the lease. In exchange we would require permission to build the new facilities. So far we have received no positive response.
Please No Dogs
A few irresponsible dog owners are using the playing field to exercise their dogs and allowing them to foul the area. Would you like your children and grand children falling into the mess left behind by someone’s dog? Not only is this against the law but you are putting at risk the health and well being of our children. Please do not exercise your dogs on the playing fields.
Dr Allen
Chairman, Metheringham Parish Council
More News from Metheringham Parish Council
Allotments - Dunston Road, Metheringham
The Parish Council own four allotments at the above address. At the present time all of the allotments are allocated to parishioners and I have a waiting list of six people. As soon as there are any vacancies I will contact the first person on the waiting list.
Annual Village Meeting 2008
The Annual Village meeting 2007 was the second year all the local village organisations had been invited to the Village Meeting, and we believe it was a great success with a turnout of 20 groups. The presentations were varied and interesting, this is your village meeting and your opportunity to update everyone on your group's achievements throughout the year. If you have any suggestions as to how the Annual Village Meeting could be improved please contact the Clerk. The 2008 Annual Village Meeting will take place in April, date to be confirmed.
Fayre & Feast 2008
The Parish Council working group are looking for volunteer Stewards & Helpers For the 2008 FAYRE & FEAST. If you are over 18 years of age, fit and healthy, then why not help YOUR community for the day. The Fayre & Feast will take place on Saturday 18th October 2008. If you can spare an hour or two, we would like to hear from you. Please give us a call: 0800 6343307 or
E-mail:clerk@metheringham.org.uk.
Shiregate Play Park
The Parish Council are still experiencing problems with youths causing vandalism in the Shiregate play park. In October the park was closed for health & safety reasons, as a large amount of broken glass was found in the grass and surrounding area. On this occasion nobody was hurt, but it is only a matter of time before a small child is injured. These problems are caused by the MINORITY, for the majority. Please respect this area as a child's play park.
Youth Shelter
Due to the ongoing issues of vandalism in the village, the Parish Council Children's Playground working group have met with the local police to discuss possible locations for the shelter. The proposed location at the present time is the Princes Street car park, if anyone has any comments please contact the Clerk.
Ms Sharon Wetherall
Clerk to Metheringham Parish Council
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