Roehampton Playing Fields Community Trust plan bids to take over management

Roehampton Playing Fields Community Trust, and its many user and community supporters, have told this website that it is very pleased that Wandsworth Council has opened its promised consultation of local residents and users of the Fields on the future of the Playing Fields.

In February 2019 the Council decided to give existing users and the wider local community the opportunity to be involved in the use, management and improvement of the Roehampton Playing Fields and the pavilion in Dover House Road.

The Playing Fields currently provide 5 tennis courts, 2 adult-sized grass football pitches, 5 junior football pitches, a grass cricket wicket and an artificial cricket wicket, athletics facilities and a pavilion with changing rooms, kitchen and stores but all these are presently in poor condition and underused.

After the consultation, which closes on Friday 23 August, the Council will invite bids to manage the Playing Fields. The Trust continues to have the strong and active support of the main Field users (particularly Dover House Lions Youth, Disability and Adult FC, St James’ and Nasir Cricket Clubs and many local maintained and independent schools) and the local community and is ready to launch its compelling and sustainable bid to manage the Playing Fields for and with the community.

The Trust is committed to promoting community cohesion and creating opportunities for local people, with a particular focus on children’s sports and education, offering more choice and making the Fields easy and affordable to access all year round. The Trust has detailed plans in place to continue to engage the local community, ensure the Fields are operated professionally, and are financially, environmentally and aesthetically sustainable.

The Trust has already raised £200,000 in supporter pledges towards the capital cost needed to bring the facilities up to a good standard, and has built strong links with organisations who can help the Trust to fund this essential work over the next few years.

Anita Russell, who runs Dover House Lions Youth, Disability and Adult FC, said: “Doverhouse Lions Youth, Disability and Adult FC is a Charter Standard Community Club and has been working in partnership with the Roehampton Playing Fields Community Trust to secure the future of the Roehampton Playing Fields to enable this green space to retain its beauty but increase its value added to change lives. We firmly believe that the value of sport to local communities extends beyond sport for sport’s sake. It can play a role in bringing people together, having a social and cultural impact, developing social capital and reducing crime and anti-social behaviour.”

She added: “We know that regular involvement in sport can benefit individuals and communities and contribute to a range of positive outcomes including:
* More local people participating as volunteers in community life
* Local people having a greater voice and influence over decision-making
* Increased third sector capacity to own community assets and to manage and deliver services
* More cohesive, tolerant and inclusive communities that value diversity
* More sustainable communities with local pride and a sense of place
* A reduction in youth offending and anti-social behaviour
* An increase in culture of respect and tolerance among young people
* A reduction in crime and in alcohol and drug misuse
* A reduction in the fear of crime”

Sarah Wilton, co-chair of RPFCT, explained “The Trust is committed to managing the Playing Fields for and with the community: we have widespread and committed support from local residents and users, great participation and engagement from our active Stakeholder Board chaired by Justine Greening, and a highly committed team working energetically and purposefully towards achieving our goals. We are passionately committed to ensuring that this unique facility is run for the benefit of the community. We encourage local residents and users to respond to the consultation in support of the community and the Trust.”

She continued: "All local residents and users of these unique Playing Fields are urged to express their views and support in the consultation so that RPFCT can ensure that the Fields are secured for the benefit of the community for many years to come."

The consultation can be found here.

June 28, 2019