The Cricket Club Committee is aware of discussions on social media recently pertaining to the removal of the derelict former-skate park and the re-use of spoil from its original installation at the Village Hall Playing Fields. This has also alerted some within that discussion group to question the decision made by the Parish Council to approve a formal lease with Cogenhoe Cricket Club securing our future as a community sports team within the heart of the Village. Naturally we are disappointed that some have taken to airing their views in this manner and we have consciously avoided being drawn in to open debate. The following will aim to clarify a few points raised as, whilst the process of securing the lease and new facilities currently being installed was entirely above board and documented in the public domain, it has nonetheless surprised a handful of residents and interested parties.
The Defunct Skate Park
This area was removed as it falls within the boundary of the cricket playing area. As many are aware the ramps were removed due to vandalism and other factors some time ago. This is not to say the Parish Council will not create a similar space elsewhere within the Playing Fields if there is a genuine interest in that type of investment. Consultation is oft raised by complainants – for the avoidance of doubt the Parish Council is not obligated to inform all relevant parties personally and the removal was available for all via the minutes of relevant meetings. It is important to note that not engaging with your communities local governance is not the same as not being consulted with. However we do appreciate the concerns raised; the space appears to have received a new lease of life as an area to ride scooters and bikes; perhaps due to travel limitations from the pandemic leading to a greater appreciate of local civic amenities. The Club Committee has made it known that we see the Village Hall and Playing Fields as our long-term future – as such we will be looking to support in any way we can be that fundraising or volunteering.
The Field
Cricket is a summer game; it takes place broadly speaking from the end of April through to the end of September or approximately 5 months of the year. The Senior Teams play Saturdays from 12pm till roughly 7pm with an hour either side for preparation and packing away. The game is played within an oval boundary centered around a “wicket”; an all-weather version is currently being installed replacing the defunct wicket that was used 25+ years ago. Therein for 5 months, each Saturday afternoon, Senior cricket will be played within that space. The remainder of the Playing Fields e.g. playground, and field outside of the boundary remains entirely open to the public as it is now. Practice, Youth Cricket and our ECB-backed All Stars program will all take place within the field and where that is a game the remainder of the Playing Fields will remain open for all. Practice and All Stars is less prescriptive with space requirements and will be centered around the wicket but not as rigid. Following the season (October to April or 7 months) the Playing Field will be as accessible as it always has been. Amongst the value the Club is bringing to the Playing Field is an increased focus on maintenance – Club Volunteers on appropriate equipment we have funded and sourced will mow the entire field throughout the year at no cost to the Village Hall / Parish Council; the money traditionally spent on grass maintenance will therefore be available for other purposes within the Parish Council budgets. Whilst this is not immediate you will hopefully notice the field becoming more managed and appealing as time goes on. This extends to the scrub areas beneath the trees running around the perimeter of the fields.
Children
The Club is blessed with an award winning Youth Section which for many years has produced a wealth of cricketers and continues to do so. Many of the current playing membership are direct products of this. We are also equally blessed with a range of Coaches, facilitators and other volunteers who continue to provide a community sporting outlet for local children and we are proud of our connections with the now neighbouring Primary School particularly with regards to All Stars. Whilst the field being used for cricket is portrayed by some as a loss of amenity we feel putting cricket in the middle of the village will bring more to the game at grassroots level.
Safety
The Cricket Club Committee take our responsibilities with all aspects of running a successful community sports team seriously; this extends to health and safety. It is worth noting that cricket on public parks is something that happens across Northamptonshire and the UK; the Racecourse, for example, has pitches that directly border one another as does Abington Park. Cricket on the village green is one of the most quintessential British things. Please be assured that all activities within our auspices (e.g. cricket, practice, grounds maintenance etc.) will be fully risk assessed and reviewed. This is a new venue for us so naturally we will monitor each game and other uses for any eventualities and adjust control measures accordingly. Cricket is not known as a high risk sport for those playing, spectating or being near – the space has been measured and the boundary area fits within the limitations of the Playing Field. The closest facility is the Village Hall buildings; whilst that appears odd it is far more common for Cricket Pavilions to front on to the cricket boundary than be placed further afield. The proximity to York Avenue has been discussed at recent meetings; whilst we are not concerned the eventuality will be covered within the risk assessment process alongside monitoring. The Club, as above, are keen to work on the fields and preliminary discussions have taken place around additional tree planting along the edge of York Avenue – again; this is intended at no cost to the Parish Council. Both the Club and the Parish Council hold the appropriate insurances for the activities within their undertaking.