AS so many of you know, I have been talking quite a lot about the lack of recreation and sports pitch facilities for our area. In fact, I give talks on the subject to anyone who is brave enough to listen!
The reason is simple, and I hope obvious. The healthier we are, the wealthier we are. This is not just about financial terms, but also, and very importantly, our mental health. Green spaces, community events, they all tick the right boxes and are a much cheaper solution than the pills prescribed when we are ill.
Unfortunately, as we also know, many of the larger councils (not all), have been able to avoid providing extra recreation space, because it is not legally enforceable, nor is it a vote-winner at election time, and they keep the builders’ receipts for other projects. Ironically, they have an incentive to fail our health.
It was summed up very nicely in a conversation I had with a very senior member of Wealden DC, when I stated that £1 million invested in green space would save the NHS £10 million per year. The answer, “Not my problem” – which is technically correct, but morally?
Highlighting the issue
To try and address this problem, I have given talks to a few local community groups about the lack of recreation grounds and sports facilities and what that means for our community’s well-being.
I often highlight Wealdens’ own assessment, that Hailsham is short of at least 14 hectares of recreation space (the equivalent size of 13 football pitches… last checked 2014).
One of the groups kind enough to listen to me is Hailsham Rotary Club, which, for many years, has quietly helped an enormous number of individuals, groups and charities across our region.
The Offer
A few months after one of my presentations, a member of the group asked for a chat. He said that he and his wife had some land that we might be interested in, for sport and recreation.
We started a conversation, and it transpired that they had about 10-12 acres of land on the edge of Hellingly/Lower Dicker that could be handed over to us, as a gift to the community.
Legal Issues
To make this work, we need to have ownership transferred to Hellingly Parish Council and then link it as part of the Hellingly Sports Club, so various structures are in place for future protection and development of sport.
This is not quite as straightforward as you might hope, with legal and access issues to be resolved; however, David White, Chair of Hellingly Parish Council and his team are very much onside in supporting this rare and wonderful opportunity.
To put it in perspective, the Sussex Football Association told us they were only aware of one other similar case of generosity in the whole of Sussex… and sadly, that didn’t go ahead in the end, so we know we have our work cut out.
But, we will give it 100% effort, because imagine how we could transform local lives with extra sports pitches, facilities and maybe, in time, another community hub.
We really hope this may be a fantastic opportunity for our local Councils to work together and support the efforts of Hellingly Parish Council, as it will be children throughout our area who will be the long-term beneficiaries.
I have to say, my initial, off-the-record talks, with a variety of local councillors from across the region, including WDC, ESCC, and Hailsham Town Councilors have all been incredibly supportive. That’s the beauty of sport and recreation, it is not political, we can all come together to support it.
We have the opportunity, we have the need, and we have some fantastic local people looking to make this a reality.
If you get the chance, please ask your local councillor to support this project.
