Funding boost for playing fields work (From The Advertiser Series)
Send us your pictures, video, news and views by texting NORTHERN ECHO to 80360 or email us
Funding boost for playing fields work in Crookhall, near Consett
10:17am Thursday 6th September 2012 in News
A NORTH Durham community is celebrating after getting a substantial cash boost for improvements to a well-used play park and for equipment to maintain its transformed playing fields.
Sita Environmental Trust, which distributes funding through the Government’s Landfill Tax Credit Scheme, has donated £26,485 to the Crookhall Foundation in the former pit village of Crookhall, near Consett .
The money will be used to provide equipment to maintain the newly-designated Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Field and for equipment for the nearby playing field.
Councillor Bob Young, who represents Consett South on Durham County Council, said: “This is another great step forward for the Crookhall Foundation.
“I will continue to support them with all their ambitions.
“They are a cracking team who work hard for all of the community.”
The news comes months after the after death of Crookhall Foundation founder John “Beck” Dixon, who was the driving force behind improvements to the playing fields.
Foundation assistant secretary John Curry said: “We are delighted with this grant from Sita. “There is a playing park in the village which has been well used for many years.
“But it is getting a little run down and we made a bid to Sita to carry out much needed improvements.“
The money will be used to provide improved the access to it, as well to build a climbing wall, scrambling net and a pirate ship.”
He added: “Beck started the process to apply for the Sita grant back in March when he fell ill, but was still well enough to do things. “Unfortunately he died a couple of months ago and did not live to see this happen.”
Before Mr Dixon had died he unveiled plaque created in tribute to his work for the community. Mr Curry said villagers had held a sponsored walk recently to help pay for a memorial garden in Mr Dixon’s honour.
Mr Dixon got the ball rolling on the transformation of the nearby playing field more than a decade ago. The playing field project saw the creation of two new football pitches, a cricket square, a multi-use games area, improved footpaths and upgraded seats and benches.
Work on the first phase of the play park development is expected to begin later this month.
