BRATTON’S aspirations for a multi-use games area at the village’s recreation ground are gathering pace, with the field being designated a Queen Elizabeth II Field.
The status of Queen Elizabeth II Field safeguards outdoor recreational space in perpetuity for future generations, in celebration of the Diamond Jubilee and as a permanent tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.
The status will also allow Bratton Recreation Committee to bid for a special grant, worth up to £50,000. This would help towards raising the £60,000 required to build a multi-use games area (MUGA). The MUGA is an all-weather facility that would have tennis, basketball, and netball courts, and areas for football.
The Bratton Recreation Committee is now calling on the people of the village to voice their support for the project, by returning the slip in the White Horse Churchman to Hillworth Stores or simply by signing the list there. The committee hopes that a display of support will enhance their chance of success in getting grants.
The MUGA is the latest and biggest in a list of developments spearheaded by the Bratton Recreation Committee. A trim trail has already been installed, the pavilion has been improved, and a skate ramp is planned for the spring.
Mike Manson, chair of Bratton Recreation Committee said, “The Queen Elizabeth II Field status provides us with a very strong legal position to retain the recreation ground as a recreation area in perpetuity. It would be very difficult for anyone to attempt to use it for anything else, not least building housing on it.
“The next stage is the multi use games area. That depends very much on whether we can get some substantial grants for it. At this stage, we’re very early on, but we do have planning permission for this already, which does help.”
