Campaigners who fought to save a Ruddington playing field for future generations are dumbfounded by a decision to remove the netting from one of the goalposts to discourage people from using it.
It’s after some new ‘Fairham Green’ residents, who’ve recently moved into the new houses just behind Sellors’ Recreation Ground, allegedly complained to Ruddington Parish Council (RPC) that young people playing football there (as they have been for around eighty years) is a nuisance.
Villager Rebecca Collison, who campaigned successfully as part of Ruddington Community Association (RCA) not to include the covenanted playing field in Bloor Homes’ major house building plans, alerted custodians RPC on Monday to the the fact that the goal net at the western end of the football pitch had gone ‘missing’. Originally it was feared the netting, kindly funded by RCA members Helen and Andy Powell, had been stolen.
However, RPC responded: “We have had complaints regarding footballs hitting windows and cars on the estate that is behind Sellors. Whilst we are looking for a permanent solution to this issue we have temporarily removed the net at that end of the field. With the net removed, people can still play football and score goals, but it seems to prevent people from kicking the ball in that direction with the force they did previously.”
The statement adds: “Whilst we understand there may be frustration due to the playing fields being present before the housing was built, that does not free the Parish Council from a responsibility to try to resolve the issue caused by the position of the goals.”
Rebecca says it is the wrong decision: “Taking away the football net might make a few householders happy but it is limiting the use of the playing field for the many children and adults who use it by reducing the available goals from two to one. I ask that the football net be reinstated so that we can all continue to enjoy this important local amenity while RPC debates how to appease the householders who have complained.”
Dawn Ellingham Martin agrees: “It won’t stop anyone kicking a ball over. In fact, it means it’s more likely to go over as they’ll still use that spot as a goal. We often go and use this goal and it would have to be kicked pretty hard to hit the houses. Oh – and when they bought the house, did they not spot the goal?”
Indeed, it’s been noted that youngsters are still using the western goal for shooting practice, even though its net has been removed. Before ‘Hind Avenue’ existed, generations of footballers would simply hop over the fence to retrieve any stray balls from the agricultural field.
Kelly Hetaraka suggests: “RPC with support from RFC, funded by Bloor Homes, could look to provide netting along the fence line. The view is retained but the management of the space protects vehicles, etc.”
RPC has advised RUDDINGTON.info there is going to be a meeting onsite next Tuesday (11th July 2023) to discuss a way forward: “The goals that are currently in place are nearing the end of their lifespan. We believe that we may have suitable replacements at Elms Park, as we have converted to roll-on roll-off goals. We believe it could be possible to position the goals differently when we replace them, so that we can have goals with nets in a position that does not cause damage to others’ property.”
One option which is sure to be discussed (and possibly tried out) is rotating the football pitch by 90 degrees, so that it faces north-south rather than east-west. However, it’s feared this could simply shift the problem to impact footpath users and the existing bungalows instead.
Meantime, the Parish Council is reassuring all users of Sellors’ Recreation Ground that: “Once agreed, we will install goals and nets in a temporary fashion to ensure there are no new issues created. Once we are sure everything is okay we will make the install permanent. We are not seeking to limit the amenity permanently.”
One new Fairham Green resident, Julie McAllister, is amazed by all the fuss: “What a load rubbish!” she says. “I have just brought a house there and it’s lovely to see all the young people playing football on the field. You knew when you brought the property that the field was there.”
RCA’s Rebecca Collison adds: “Moving the goalposts to another area of Sellors’ Field is a poor and disproportionate response to the residents’ complaint. The field is bordered on three sides by houses. Only Hind Avenue has the natural barrier of the slope to protect it. If RPC were to pick up the ‘phone to talk to the developer I am sure they could find a solution without frittering away council funds on a project that is doomed to fail.”
We’ll be sure to report on the outcome!
