LATEST NEWS ON THE GLEBE FIELD FROM ED BATES ON 11th November 2011
This page has spread the word and led to a good number of completed questionnaires, for which many thanks. I envisage the Village Green application being submitted within the next two weeks, after which there will be a pause of about five months while KCC determine the outcome.
Please can those who have questionnaires return them by Tuesday 15th November.
All those who have completed questionnaires will be informed of the outcome as soon as known (anticipated approx. April 12 2012)
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The Glebe Field has been used by Goudhurst people for a great many years for recreational purposes such as sports and games – including informal football, picnics, children’s play, dog walking, blackberry picking, village fetes and bonfires, amateur dramatics, courting and quiet contemplation. (You may have memories of other activities?)
The lease for use by the school has ended, and although the Parish Council has tried to purchase the field, the Diocese has not indicated a wish to sell. They are seeking a tenant who may enjoy exclusive use, preventing access for village activities.
We intend to save general access to the field by applying for it to be registered as a Village Green. This would preserve general access to the Glebe Field forever. For this to happen, we need help. If you have used the Glebe Field at any time during the last 20 years for any form of recreation, you can help by:
Contacting Us – savetheglebefield@hotmail.co.uk – or Ed – Tel: 01580212129 to arrange to complete a questionnaire – telling us how you have used the Glebe Field and for how long.
Passing this Message On to friends and neighbours within Goudhurst Parish (*), and those who may have since moved away, encouraging them to contact us about their experience.
Contact: savetheglebefield@hotmail.co.uk or Telephone 01580212129
From: Ed Bates, Richard Hillier, Donald Sargeant, Lynette Edwards, David Edwards, Angela Kember, Edmund Hastie, Pamela Boniface.
(*) – Includes Goudhurst, Kilndown and Curtisden Green
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I have used the Glebe Field frequently during the 11 years we have lived in Goudhurst, for dog walking and numerous village fetes and celebrations. The beacon is there, and we have attended dramatic productions. church picnics, and sporting events.
I find it hard to believe that the Diocese does not understand what the loss of this facility would mean to the village, or the amount of anger there is at their refusal to allow us have any say in the long-term future of this place. There are regular churchgoers who have said they will leave the Church in disgust if the diocese puts its own (presumably financial) gain before the health, happiness and well being of us all.
The Glebe Field has been treated as a village green for years, and the whole village has benefited from the freedom to use this easily accessable space. It is a meeting place we all share. What is the church for if not to encourage this?
Please let me have a questionnaire to complete, I have used the Glebe Field almost every day for the past 25 years as part of my walk around our village both for necessary exercise for my dogs and myself and on occasions for playing ball games in the past with my Grandchildren and now with Greatgrand children this field being the only flat surface available. Without this facility the village will be at a lose for open areas
Please forward a qestionnaire to Save the Glebe Field. I walked my children though the field over the years, followed by my grandchildren. I’ve also enjoyed the village fetes and various fairs on the field. the odd sporting event and a number of charity gatherings over the years. not to mention it’s, perhaps unathordox use as a car park for weddings etc at the church.
It would be a shame to lose this unique facility so close to the village centre and to the villagers hearts.
We have lived in Goudhurst for 10 years and many times have enjoyed the field for games and picnics. We will never forget the Golden Anniversary of our Queen when we sat on bales of hay at 12 midnight watching the beacon burning away, and raising our glasses and toasting our queen. The field is very important to us for the village recreational purposes and should remain as it is for the use of the people and visitors of Goudhurst.
Please forward the questionaire for us to complete.
P.S. Could we get the community together for the Diamond anniversary of the Queens reign.