Dear Concerned Adolescent,

Thank you for writing your letter of 'constructive criticism' regarding
the playing field.

Here are a few explanations for the problems you mention.

1. Prickly hedges: The District Council often makes conditions when granting planning permission. One of the conditions when the Parish Council bought the land was that an impenetrable hedge be planted to stop stray balls entering private gardens nearby. I'm afraid the moral is that if you are using a plastic ball... keep to the middle of the field.

2. The PC deliberately did not install permanent goalposts because we wanted to avoid specific areas of grass getting worn down.  In any case, full size goalposts have to be a considerable distance away from boundaries (to allow for high shots to come down within the behind the goal area rather than a neighbouring garden) rendering this an untenable option for a playing field the size of ours.

3. Grass: Yes it did get a bit long on occasions last year. Our volunteer workforce will of course try harder this year.

4. Bumpiness: it is certainly not as bad as you describe (try other playing fields in the area!) but the PC will see if it has some funds to get it rolled again.

5. Litter bin: There is a litter bin at the playing field - just outside the play area. Cleanaway have to empty it so it cannot be any further from the road. However, if you are volunteering to empty it regularly I'm sure another bin can be arranged…

I hope this makes you feel a little better. Let's hope the field sees
plenty of sporting action over the coming months.

Before you start criticising the state of the playing field it would pay you to get your facts right.

The playing field was ploughed, then levelled and sown by Mr. Shelford the local turf grower it has also been rolled.

Some of you who are criticising have every opportunity to do some work on it, the tools are available. It is not a paid job and people who do this do it on a voluntary basis if a contractor does this he has to be paid, where does the money come from. The village Hall took over the running of the playing field, the Parish council are not responsible.

Perhaps some of you who congregate at the bus stop would like to help.

There is a litter bin it was donated by East Cambs District Council the same time as others around the village, it is near the play area, it cannot go in the middle of the playing field.