Highams Playing Fields

Shurm · 03-12-2014, 12:12

Just in case anyone is interested I asked the Council today when it will be open again for people to use. Seems some time next year as although it's all fenced off and has been for a year people have damaged the Cricket pitch areas.

Looks like the pitches are important to the funding though so there keeping it all out of bounds till it's sorted.

"Good morning Mr Shurmer, thank you for your enquiry. Unfortunately we have had several incursions onto the playing fields recently, this has prompted a decision to keep the site fenced off until next spring. Although the grass is establishing quite well there has been some damage to the cricket squares, these need some time to consolidate naturally but we are now faced with a costly and time consuming job to reinstate the areas to remove footprints and ensure that they are playable, with even bounce. We won’t be able to sort this problem out until next spring when the surface has settled and will take a roller.
I’m sorry if this isn’t what you wanted to hear but with the project costs to date there is a risk that we may not reach our performance targets to ensure we can draw down the full grant from Sport England if further damage occurs.
Regards Andrew H"

accybeme · 04-12-2014, 14:37

Interesting report, I deduce from that once the cricket pitches are up to scratch the funds from sport England will be forthcoming, what happens then you are allowed to play football but take your boots off if the ball transgresses into the cricket pitch area

Shurm · 04-12-2014, 20:52

Probably, it would seem the Cricket pitches are the most important thing not having the playing fields open to local residents to enjoy again (after being fenced off for a year now) but keep fenced off so certain people can play Cricket for 3 month that don't even live local !!!

Morecambe Ex Pat · 05-12-2014, 21:11

Saw the playing fields yesterday and was most surprised to see the fence still up.

Have they levelled it off or is that top pitch still used for the Lancashire hillside league?

Shurm · 06-12-2014, 20:52

The bottom bit has been levelled but I'm not sure if it will be used for football as the precious cricket pitch is in the centre of that. The top bit doesn't look much different but might have better drainage ?

Anyway the Council are obviously more concerned over making sure those that park on Blackburn Rd have somewhere nice to play for 3 month than the locals that just want a recreation area back. I bet it's finished for next Summer otherwise Counciller Dad will be upset

Accrington Cricketers' fears over £325k playing fields refurbishment - Accrington Observer

Gordon Booth · 06-12-2014, 21:23

£325K to flatten a grass field and remove some footprints??
And if it was in use before it must have been reasonably flat?
And you folks are putting £200k into this?
My, you Accy folks must have plenty of spare cash!

Morecambe Ex Pat · 07-12-2014, 08:08

I would expect a proper cricket club to have a decent grass wicket but is it feasible to have one in the middle of municipal playing fields.
I played on a few Astroturf wickets, years ago and they were surprisingly good surfaces to play on. The Astroturf was removed outside of the cricket season just as the goal posts were removed during Summer.
The wicket on Highams was roped off and when a ball went onto it, someone wearing ordinary shoes retrieved the ball.

cashman · 07-12-2014, 08:10

Having grown up using Highams its always been pretty crap in my view.

Morecambe Ex Pat · 07-12-2014, 12:58

Spent many a happy hour down on the old playground, next to the railway. We virtually lived there in the summer. The top football pitches were not too bad, except after heavy rain. The bottom pitch next to the cricket field was like a quagmire most of the time.

ossy kid · 08-12-2014, 01:40

To play on the field next to the cricket ground, you needed one long leg and one short one.

Shurm · 08-12-2014, 21:46

Well the bottom bit looks nice and flat now, theres a cricket pitch in the middle there, but unfortunately some p***ock like at the back of the photo thinks its clever to walk their dogs over the fenced off area ruining the cricket pitch with foot prints and so keeping it closed to the rest of the people waiting to use the playing fields again !!!

Morecambe Ex Pat · 09-12-2014, 07:21

If the cricket pitch is ruined by ordinary shoes, cricket spikes are going to make a bit of a mess of it.

US Angel · 12-12-2014, 18:56

Some folk are just idiots I guess

accyman · 13-12-2014, 18:25

quite a lot of money to spend on cricket patches

woulda been cheaper to buy a garage door and a block of chalk to draw wickets

we managed ok with that

maxthecollie · 13-12-2014, 20:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shurm

Well the bottom bit looks nice and flat now, theres a cricket pitch in the middle there, but unfortunately some p***ock like at the back of the photo thinks its clever to walk their dogs over the fenced off area ruining the cricket pitch with foot prints and so keeping it closed to the rest of the people waiting to use the playing fields again !!!

There's always one!