Members needed to look after playing fields
A COMMUNITY partnership formed to look after a popular playing field is looking for members. (May 9 edition)The Stanley Crook Community Partnership was created to deal with Welfare Field, which many residents feared would be closed to the public when Wear Valley District Council sell it on.
The field’s fate has split the village ever since a neighbouring landowner offered to buy the land, with accusations of secret deals and underhand dealings sparking bitter arguments between neighbours.
At a meeting in March, Wear Valley District Council decided to postpone a decision to sell the land while the partnership was formed which could then take over responsibility for the play area. New partnership secretary Denise Patterson said: “The partnership has been formed by people in the village to ensure the field is not only kept for the community but is properly maintained and fenced off from the road so it can be enjoyed safely by all.
“For generations Welfare Field has been a public open space and playing field for Stanley crook but over recent years its upkeep has been neglected by Wear Valley District Council.
“We aim to bring together all organisations prepared to play a part in this including the outgoing district council and new unitary authority, but most importantly we hope the people in Stanley Crook will want to join in and play their part in planning and carrying out a project that will make this village a better place to live for everyone.”
For more information, contact Denise on 01388 762645 or chairman Norman Harker on 01388 764598.
