Glapthorn

glapthornplayingfield@gmail.com

Glapthorn Recreation Ground is an area of recreational land situated at the west end of the village to the rear of Glapthorn Primary School. The facilities include a sports field (prepared to Sport England standards), a children's playground (with slides, climbing frame, swings and a balance/obstacle course) an outdoor gym and a car park.

The Recreation Ground is due to open to the public in stages during Spring 2021, please see the planned opening of each facility below. NB: dates are subject to change.

The Playing Field Association was formed in 2020 and are responsible for managing the recreation ground on behalf of the Parish Council. Its primary role is to raise funds to cover the running costs of the facilities; these include grass cutting and the maintenance of the equipment and playing areas. There is an active committee, all volunteers, who endeavour to raise funds for its upkeep through a variety of events in the village. The Committee meet regularly and the minutes can be found on this webpage

Should anyone representing a formal organisation wish to book the sports field then please contact any committee member, or email glapthornplayingfield@gmail.com

The Recreation Ground is a facility meant for the enjoyment of all villagers; all we ask is that the facilities are used in a responsible manner and left in a state you would wish to find them. If anyone sees any misuse of the facilities or wishes to report any damage please contact a committee member.

A special plea is made to dog owners to ensure they DO NOT allow their dogs onto the sports field or playground.

A Brief History of the Recreation Ground

The idea for a recreation ground was conceived many years ago but previous attempts were not able to progress the initiative. However Glapthorn Parish Council took up the project in 2017. After successfully applying for grants and loans to fund the scheme followed by negotiations to purchase the land and acquire access rights, development started in Spring 2020. Despite the restrictions of the Covid-19 pandemic the key development groundworks were completed by Autumn with the final installations in January 2021. A comprehensive history of the project can be found on the Playing Field Project Development Timeline pages of this website.

Glapthorn Parish Council are grateful to the following organisations in supporting and funding this project:

• Augean Community Fund
• Sport England
• The National Lottery
• FCC Communities Foundation
• East Northants Community Facilities Fund
• The National Lottery Community Fund

Car Park - Opens 6th March

Playground - Opening Date TBC

The very wet weather during construction of the Playground means that more work is needed on the ground before we are able to open these facilities. The Playing Field Association is hoping we will be able to open it for use by the village in the Easter holidays. The PFA appreciate how tempting it is and we're pleased so many people are keen to use it, but please don't until it is properly opened. The more children who use the playground before it is opened, the more likely there will be a longer delay to opening. We would really appreciate all the villagers' cooperation with this.

Outdoor Gym - Opens 29th March

Due to current Covid-19 restrictions the Outdoor Gym cannot be used.

Sports Field - Opening Date TBC

Coming soon and available for hire, a 2 acre field prepared to Sport England standard available for rugby, football, junior cricket etc.

The field is in its final stages of preparation with secondary "slit" drainage being completed in Spring, after which the sports field should be ready for use.

GPFA Committee

• Nick Knowles - Chair
• Sue Bradley - Secretary
• Malcom Moss
• Ellie Igglesden
• Jo Hood
• Naomi Green
• Cheryl Scott
• Debbie Carmichael
• Joanna Cadman-Joyce
• Sarah Earl
• Gillian Bland

Glapthorn Playing Field Association is a registered charity, No: 1189712

GPFA Meeting Minutes