Thank You to the Friends of the Field

Last night the Mayor of Southampton, Terry Matthews, hosted an event in the Mayor's Parlour at the Civic Centre to say thank you to everyone who has been involved in the 10 year campaign to save the Civil Service Sports Ground. It was great to bring together local residents, local headteachers, school governors and councillors to formally recognise all the work that has been put in over the years and a chance to plan for the future for this fantastic open space in the middle of Freemantle Ward.

Campaign Success: Civil Service Sports Ground Saved!

Cllr Michael Ball at last year's Foyes Corner Festival on the Civil Service Ground

A 10 year campaign by local residents and Freemantle's Councillors has finally ended in success! The former Civil Service Sports Ground (behind Malmesbury Road) has been saved from residential development, safeguarding it for use by the local community and local schools, and ensuring that it stays green.

As your local Councillors, Michael Ball, Brian Parnell and I have been pushing the council to buy or compulsory purchase the land for many years and as of now it is in council ownership.

We have set aside funds to immediately improve the site; cleaning it up and replacing the old walls that back onto neighbouring houses.

In the longer term we are keen to put in sports pitches and facilities and possibly even a club house. We are setting aside further funds to support applications for grant funding and bids to the lottery. Having seen the incredible transformation at St James' Park we would like to aim for something similar.

We want this to be a community asset and we need the support of local people to make it work. Already we have excellent support from the Friends of the Field community group and local schools but we do need more people involved. The Friends of St James' Park has 400+ members and this was a key reason they succeeded in their £1M lottery bid.

A Great Time At The Freemantle Festival!

My family and I had a great time at the Freemantle Festival today. Despite the weather being a bit patchy it was a big success. I especially enjoyed the climbing wall - which was a new addition this year! Well done to Rebecca, Cevn and Anne and the Friends Of The Field for all their hard work in organising the day.

Foyes Corner Festival

I am looking forward to the second Foyes Corner festival which will take place on Sunday 17th May. Last year's event was a huge success with several thousand attending. If people want to raise any local issues with me on the day please come over and have a chat!

Freemantle Festival!

On 18th May Freemantle will have its first big community festival in years. A lot of hard work from local residents is going into putting on a really fun day. Freemantle and Shirley Ward councillors are going and if people want to raise any local issues with us we will be glad to help.


Below is a message from the festival organisers:

There will be dancing, bands, swimming, bouncy castles and giant inflatables, local food, drinks, information tents, local radio DJs, Scout Movement, Guide Movement, Southampton Mayor, tattoos, messy play, duck pond, environmental and recycling, hog-roast, celidh, herbs, African drumming, face painting, circus skills, raffle, and many, many more things to do on the day. Admission is free.Many local businesses are being generous in providing donations for the event. The festival team are currently collecting prizes for what promises to be a bonanza raffle. It is not too late to get involved with the festival and make your contribution. We are keen to hear from individuals who would like to help on the day, or could distribute publicity material in advance.

The Festival is supported by K2, SCC, St Marks School, Friends of The Field, YMCA and GMB.

For more information contact Rebecca Kinge, Tel 023 8052 8123, www.communityhub.info