Contractor appointed for improvements to borough football facility

A contractor has been appointed to carry out upgrade works to an important football facility in the borough.

Following a £152,000 funding boost from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council which was agreed in February 2020, SIS Pitches has been appointed to carry out upgrades at Winklebury Football Complex.

The project includes the installation of a new stand and turnstiles, a new public address system, additional fencing and a boardroom.

Work to construct the structures offsite has now begun and installation work is expected to be completed in September.

The improvements to the facility will help increase participation in local football by ensuring clubs in the borough are able to play at a higher level (Grade D standard) and follows the completion of a new state-of-the-art artificial pitch which was officially opened in December 2019.

To ensure the safety of contractors during the COVID-19 pandemic, the council and Hampshire Football Association will be making sure that strict social distancing guidelines are maintained during the installation.

Cabinet Member for Borough Development and Improvement Cllr Rebecca Bean said: “We are very pleased that this important work, which will ensure more clubs and players of all ages across the borough can benefit from high quality local facilities, is now under way.

“Ensuring we have high quality sporting facilities which local clubs and players can use all year round is a top priority for us and significant investment has been made by the council and the Football Foundation in recent years.”

Chief Executive at Hampshire Football Association Neil Cassar added: “We welcome further investment into the facilities at Winklebury Football Complex which will enhance the experience of our partner clubs and user groups for the season ahead. We look forward to welcoming all our user groups back to the site as soon as it is safe to do so.”

Men’s Health Week – check out what Hampshire’s Men’s Activity Network could do for you

This Men’s Health Week (15-21 June), Hampshire County Council is encouraging men to consider the benefits of joining a men’s group to connect with others for better mental and physical health during COVID-19 and beyond.  Hampshire’s Men’s Activity Network consists of 20 men’s groups across the county which offer a range of activities including online training courses, one-to-one mentoring sessions and fortnightly virtual networking sessions to share ideas and provide mutual support.

Councillor Judith Grajewski, Executive Member for Public Health at Hampshire County Council, said, “We would like to encourage all people to seek support and take actions to improve their mental and emotional health. Men’s Health Week is a great opportunity for men in particular to help themselves and others. The Men’s Activity Network connects men with each other through shared interests and is currently reaching out for members. With the challenges and isolation of COVID-19, it’s an ideal time to join up and connect with like-minded individuals.”

The Men’s Activity Network is promoting a free online training session on Thursday 18 June, for any community organisation that would like to learn how to reach out and engage more successfully with men locally. The practical workshop includes a digital toolkit to help organisations attract new members. Email [email protected] for details.

In addition, the Network is keen to recruit existing community organisations. Benefits of membership include training, information and guidance on running a group and potential access to funding. They are also keen to hear from men who would like to set up a group from scratch. Anyone who feels inspired following lockdown to do more for their community, or who has identified a need in their community for mutual support, is invited to get in touch.

CLA calls on Education Secretary to teach Countryside Code in schools

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has written to the Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson MP, calling for the Countryside Code to be taught in schools.

It comes following reports of worrying incidents taking place in rural areas as the country emerges from the Covid-19 crisis. These include fly-tipping, littering, trespassing, country lanes being blocked, gates being left open, dogs chasing livestock and a lack of social distancing.

There has been a spike in these types of actions occurring as more people have flocked to the countryside to enjoy the weather since lockdown rules were eased.

CLA President Mark Bridgeman said: “The countryside is a wonderful place and we want to see everybody enjoy it. But we also want them to be safe, and respect the countryside as a place of work.

“A lack of education on how to treat the countryside has left a generation without a basic understanding of what is an acceptable and indeed necessary standard of behaviour in a rural, working environment which produces food for the nation. We all have a part of to play in improving that understanding, but help in the classroom would be a great start.

“With the recent problems arising, including the tragic death of another walker attacked by cattle, we strongly believe this is the right time to get the Countryside Code into classrooms. There is an opportunity for lessons to be learned from the crisis.

“It is imperative we set standards and expectations, while promoting an ethos of respect for the countryside in schools up and down the country emphasising the impact it plays in children’s health, wellbeing and attainment.”

Furthermore, there have been reports of disposable barbecues in rural areas catching fire and destroying land and habitat. Reducing the risk of wildfires is key at this time of the year, and raising awareness is one way in which the risk can be reduced.

The Countryside Code, which applies to all parts of the countryside in England and Wales, aims to help everyone respect, protect and enjoy the outdoors.

To read the letter sent to Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson MP, click here.

CLA South East represents thousands of farmers, landowners and rural businesses in Kent, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight.

For more information about the CLA and its work, visit www.cla.org.uk/your-area/south-east/regional-news and follow @CLASouthEast on Twitter.