Fields are for everyone to enjoy

“LOOK at me, I’m beautiful!” Les Davis’s description of Herringthorpe Playing Fields sums it up in a nutshell. Every council member should read his letter and finally appreciate what a gem they have in their hands, instead of trying to sell off the family

Week after week, Mr McCormick (RRC) writes about democracy and diversity, carefully avoiding words such as fencing and floodlights nearly 20ft tall. Mr McCormick and co did not gracefully accept the democratic decision of the council’s planning committee and wishes of almost 1,000 Rotherham residents (it would have been more, but time was short) when its planning application was rejected. Floodlights and fencing off such a huge area (a fifth of the fields) would be a blot on the landscape and open the floodgates for others to follow suit. The noise, disruption and congestion, night after night, would be intolerable.

We were left to stew while a single planning inspector in Bristol made his decision. RRC Ltd had the privilege of meeting this inspector and putting its case forward. Objectors were not awarded the same courtesy. The fields are enjoyed by many people of all ages for football, rugby, cross-country and other activities but pitch hire costs could be significantly reduced to encourage more block bookings and increase revenue.

Herringthorpe Playing Fields are to be put in Fields in Trust’s Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge, as part of the Jubilee Celebrations. Now is the ideal time for the council to invest in neglected areas and improve facilities for everyone to enjoy. It’s time Rotherham had something to celebrate.

Find out the facts and see the massive area marked out. Please join us for a cup of tea and chat on Saturday December 1 on site at 1.30 pm. Sign our petition. We will be there, whatever the weather.

Kath Reeder, Herringthorpe Playing Fields Community Group

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