The Recreation Ground

Meadow Lane Rec is a great asset for the local community. In 2021 we surveyed users and residents to find out what they wanted from the Rec. The openness and the multiple and informal uses of the Rec are widely valued, and any changes should not interfere with this. Given this, there is support for more benches, better planting, a few additional sports facilities, and better maintenance of the area.

We work closely with the Council to implement changes.

See survey results

General improvements

In the survey people asked for benches and better planting as long as it did not interfere with the open nature of the space and informal sports.

Benches and bins

We crowded funded for two benches by the playground and extra bins. Two more benches will soon be installed at the Jackdaw Lane end. One is dedicated to the memory of Pam St Clair who lived in Argyle Street for many years.

Defibrillator

Trees and flowers

We have created a wild flower meadow and bulbs on the far side, replacing the nettles.

Trees have been planted that will provide shade and opportunities for picnics and social gatherings.

Guerilla Gardens

On Meadow Lane there is a 'guerrilla garden' by the Rec and another by the allotments. Others are welcome to reclaim more of the verges of Meadow Lane or contribute to the existing one.

The IFRA defibrillator is located on Meadow Lane, opposite the children's playground, by the passageway to Chester Street.

In an emergency call 999, they will supply an unlock code for the cabinet so the defibrillator can be removed and taken to where it is needed. Anyone can use it with no training necessary, they are very simple instructions and voice prompts on the defibrillator and the 999 operator will also talk you through the process.

Thanks to Tom Green for his hard work and perseverance and to Cllr Emily Kerr for providing the funding, and to the household of 2 Argyle Street for letting us use their back wall.

Sports

The survey found that people wanted more sports facilities, in particular table tennis, basket ball and an outdoor gym.

Table Tennis

We achieved this in 2022 with crowdfunding thanks to everyone who contributed and it is well used. Table tennis balls can be bought at the Chester and any funds will go towards the costs of replacing bats etc. Thanks to Peter Sidgewick for making this happen.

Basket ball

Thanks so much to everyone who contributed to the crowdfunder and to the survey.

This encouraged the City Council to give us the new hybrid facility! Thanks in particular to Catherine King, City Councillors Emily Kerr and Chris Jarvis and Council Officers.

Outdoor gym

This is our next project! We are looking into possible locations in discussion with the Council and will be looking at ways we can fund this.

If you are interested in helping take this forward, please get in touch

All this is being achieved through the initiative of local residents and their children with the support of IFRA. If you have any ideas, please contact us.