Yes, this does sound dramatic but the reality is that future of this much loved local community amenity is very uncertain.
Opened in 1975 it has provided a space for walkers, informal recreation and both cricket and football pitches for competitive sport. This provision has relied on the goodwill and commitment of a succession of volunteers.
It requires local people to give of their time generously to maintain and improve the facility and raise much of the funding to pay for this.
Worryingly, the current committee numbers just three trustees and one committee member. It is the case that also these volunteers undertake much of the fund-raising and maintenance and they’re not getting any younger!!
In addition to the specific roles – chairperson, treasurer and secretary, there are places for members to help with organising fund raising and events, – examples of such activities are the Firework and Bonfire Evening, Pop Up suppers, Race and Quiz nights. Committee meetings annually total six and usually are held in the pavilion.
Grass cutting, football pitch line-marking, cricket wicket maintenance, pavilion repair and upkeep, drainage ditch clearance – activities to name but a few! The first three tasks need to be carried out on a weekly basis and the others through maintenance/working party sessions on Saturday mornings – usually six annually.
Do you think you can help? Interested? Would you like to find out more? As a first step, please contact us.
The Playing Field is still open but remember: No group gatherings and keep to the social distancing guidlines.
The football pitch is currently closed. No ball games allowed. Thanks for your co-operation during these difficult times.
Reproduced without permission from Banksy. If only I had his phone number!
The playground is also closed.
The Playing Field has received a grant of £2500 from The Football Foundation. This will be added to funds already in reserve to do essential work to keep the drainage system in good condition. Sand spreading and fertiliser spreading has now been completed.
Works are now complete on the new path. This provides a mud-free, wheelchair friendly access to the football pitch.
This was financed by a grant of £2500 from the Gatwick Community Trust and additional funds from the Playing Field's own reserves.
Thanks to funds raised by Peter Smythe doing a marathon (on his treadmill), plus extra donations from villagers, friends and family and an additional contribution from Sussex Police, Hadlow Down now has an automatic defibrillator at the Playing Field. Together with the device at the Village Hall, Hadlow Down now has two defibrillators in the village.
East Sussex Ambulance Service knows the exact location of this device and the door lock code. In an emergency always call 999 first, ask for ambulance, explain the situation and your location. Instructions will be given.
This defibrillator is available 24/7 and can be used by anyone, not just users of the playing field. So if you live nearby, get to know exactly where it is - just in case of that unlikely emergency!
Good turnout for the cricket pitch maintainence session on October 14th and the delayed session on the 17th.
Rabbit fencing errected, scarifing, loam and fertiliser spreading.
Bacon sandwiches and tea greatfully received. Many thanks to all involved.
As an organisation, we don't actually keep any of your personal information. We don't send out unsolicited emails or have a mailing list. This website does not use "cookies" or have trackers, google analytics or any other nastyness. But despite all that, we are preparing some kind of privacy statement for the GDPR regulations that will be better than this one:
From XKCD with thanks!
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