Later in this month of June work will begin on the installation of a Tarmac path leading from the cemetery gate to the enclosed playground gate. 
 
We were not granted the full amount of funding we applied for so had to make some difficult choices. Half the proposed drainage installed last year substantially helped to alleviate the problem of muddy, swampy paths and pooling at the cemetery gate. So with no more drainage deemed necessary this meant we could then fund the Tarmac path with the money saved. 
 
The work may take up to two weeks so we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause but hope the result will be worth it.

There will be temporary disruption in the field while drainage is installed and to the entrances while improvements are made.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Work is due to begin on Monday 12th Nov and may last for 3 weeks.

Funding News
We are pleased to report that we have received half of the funding required for the path project which entails first installing drainage then tarmac paths.
We are very grateful to Viridor Credits for this.
We have applied for further funding to complete the project and if successful this will be carried out next spring.

Please see photographs of the deliberate damage to the viper.   Large chunks of glass were also left around the piece of equipment.

This has been reported to 101 now and Zoe Blount of the Safer Neighbourhood Team, who works out of Grangewood, said that any sign of anti social behaviour should be reported straightaway on 101. 

They have been alerted to the trouble on the bottom field but were not aware of the problems on the top here where most of the vandalism is occurring.

We are obviously very upset with this latest incident and would ask you to please ring 101 should you hear or see any inappropriate behaviour on the field.

We are very pleased to inform you all that there will shortly be a dual purpose bin installed at the Hucklow Avenue entrance to the Field -- this will be a combination rubbish and dog bin.  
There is also to be a new bin outside the railings of the playground near Hazel Drive.

Despite all the difficulties, the new sports and play equipment and improvements to the existing playground have at last been completed and we hope will be enjoyed by children of all ages for a long time to come. The seats have proved to be very popular, sited for people to appreciate the lovely views and extra ones have also been installed.

We'd like to say a very big thank you to Viridor Credits and the Big Lottery for their generous funding for all this, granted with the help of your supportive e-mails and drawings from children.

Big Lottery's Awards For All have granted us £10,000.


This will be spent on improving access for the disabled, providing some seats and also some sports equipment as an initial first stage of our overall project.
 
We are also indebted to the Woodland Trust for donating 60 saplings which will be planted along with some spring bulbs this Autumn with the help of local school children.
 

The daffodils we planted are beautiful and it's lovely to see so many people enjoying the views from the newly installed seats including ourselves (some of the 'Friends Group seen in the photo). 
The beginning of this month will see work commence on the new playground, refurbishing the existing one, creating sporting opportunities (football and basketball) and putting in more seats. All this has been funded by Viridor Credits and The Big Lottery.  Later in the year entrances will be improved for disabled access.
 
If you shop at Tesco, please will you please make sure you select Whitecotes Playing Field as your choice for your blue token during May and June.
 
Lastly but most important of all please could you send us a message of support for putting paths across the field. We need as many emails as possible to ensure the success of our application to Viridor Credits for the funding of these. 
Please send to [email protected]

We are delighted to inform you all that we have been awarded the full amount of funding we applied for from the recycling company, Viridor Credits. This will enable us to complete the first stage of our project in providing much-needed play equipment for older children, improve the existing playground by replacing the surface, installing an all-inclusive roundabout and a self-shutting gate and a trail circuit involving balance for younger children. We will also purchase more seats placing them where the lovely panoramic views can be best seen from the field. 
 
Thank you to all those who have given their enthusiastic support especially to all the children whose many pictures were sent with the application and surely played a big part in its success.
 
Many trees ( very small whips as yet) and spring bulbs have been planted around the field and we hope to plant much larger trees in spring. Thank you to all those who worked so hard in the cold weather to achieve this.
 
As soon as the weather improves, work will start on improving access at the entrances on Hazel Drive, Whitecotes Close and Hucklow Avenue.
 
Meanwhile, we are going to try our utmost to secure more funds for the installation of paths right across the field.
 
Finally  HAPPY  NEW  YEAR  everyone from the Friends of Whitecotes Playing Field.