Barford residents rally to raise £450,000 for new sports facilities - The Leamington Observer

Barford residents rally to raise £450,000 for new sports facilities

Leamington Editorial 6th Sep, 2015 Updated: 28th Oct, 2016   0

SPEEDY residents in and around Barford are celebrating after raising £450,000 for new sports facilities in the village.

It took residents just 18 months to raise the cash for the creation of a multi-use games area on King George’s Playing Field, which will include two tennis courts, an all-weather court, picnic and toilet facilities, together with a children’s play area, new paths and seating areas.

The good news was announced at a soggy summer fun day in Barford on bank holiday Monday (August 31).

The event, which attracted more than 200 people, was opened by England and Birmingham City footballer Karen Carney, and raised a further £6,000.




The project was led by Barford, Sherbourne and Wasperton Joint Parish Council (JPC) and supported with grants locally totalling over £80,000 from Barford Community Charity and Barford St Peter’s School Trust, as well as £50,000 from not-for-profit environmental support business WREN, and a further grant from Warwick District Council (WDC).

John Murphy, Chairman of the JPC, said: “It is simply breathtaking to see just how far members of this working group, in partnership with residents from across Barford, Sherbourne and Wasperton, have progressed in the last 18 months.


“To have finalised the scheme design and raised such a significant amount of money in such a short period of time is outstanding, and I am so proud of what our local community has achieved.”

“This is proof that with belief, dedication and energy, dreams can become a reality. I speak on behalf of residents from across the three villages when I say that I cannot wait for the new sports facilities to be opened towards the end of the year.”

WDC finance spokesman Peter Whiting offered his congratulations.

Coun Whiting said: “The amount of community effort which has gone into the fund-raising work since this project commenced is amazing.

“Given this, Warwick District Council has been delighted to support such a proactive approach. I personally applaud those who have invested considerable time in this project and I share their excitement in looking forward to seeing their hard work rewarded with new sports facilities fit for future generations of local villagers.”

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