Leafy Lane Playing Fields Project, Rudloe Graham Cogswell FICE January 2021
Design of the main building of the project (courtesy Graham Cogswell)
The Leafy Lane sporting complex was formally opened for use on 12 September 1998. It involved the creation of some twenty-eight acres of sports fields, training areas, a changing complex and environmental improvements. It was driven by Corsham Boys Football Club (CBFC) and their need for improved facilities for youth football but it also embraced a wider vision of a community centre for sporting activities.
A huge amount of voluntary time and effort was required to organise, manage, fund and deliver, what was the biggest investment of its type in grass roots sport in the South West of England at the time - and all in the parish of Box. This input was mainly from the parents and committee of CBFC but also from other community groups.
A huge amount of voluntary time and effort was required to organise, manage, fund and deliver, what was the biggest investment of its type in grass roots sport in the South West of England at the time - and all in the parish of Box. This input was mainly from the parents and committee of CBFC but also from other community groups.
Need for the Playing Field
The Corsham Boys Football Club (now AFC Corsham) was started in 1975 by Tony Morgan to give his son and friends the chance to play organised youth football (under 15’s) in the Mid-Wilts Youth league. The success of this venture led to the growth of the club and by the early nineties there were some twenty-two teams, in age groups ranging from under six to under seventeen. The Football Association restricted young people from playing outside their age group in competitive environments. CBFC teams were, therefore, regional based, with players and facilities from surrounding villages and communities.
There was a severe shortage of pitches and facilities for youth football. The smaller pitch requirements for younger age groups restricted use to primary school locations and many of the adult pitches were too large or not available for older age groups. What was available was generally of mixed to poor quality, with inadequate changing and other facilities. Training facilities for the teams during the dark winter months, were scarce or unaffordable. CBFC had a very vibrant and enthusiastic committee in the early 1990s under its forward-thinking chairman, Tony Harrison. They recognised the need for improved facilities if the club was to develop and grow and provide opportunity to their young people. The search began for an area that could be developed as a single base for all club activities.
In May 1990 local landowners, Parish Councils, the MoD and similar sport organisations in the area were contacted. The net was widened, but nothing came to fruition until January 1994 when contact was made with Mr Padfield, the owner of the land at Leafy Lane, Rudloe – and so the project began!
The Site
The site at Leafy lane was split into three main areas: west, east and the north woodlands:
The Corsham Boys Football Club (now AFC Corsham) was started in 1975 by Tony Morgan to give his son and friends the chance to play organised youth football (under 15’s) in the Mid-Wilts Youth league. The success of this venture led to the growth of the club and by the early nineties there were some twenty-two teams, in age groups ranging from under six to under seventeen. The Football Association restricted young people from playing outside their age group in competitive environments. CBFC teams were, therefore, regional based, with players and facilities from surrounding villages and communities.
There was a severe shortage of pitches and facilities for youth football. The smaller pitch requirements for younger age groups restricted use to primary school locations and many of the adult pitches were too large or not available for older age groups. What was available was generally of mixed to poor quality, with inadequate changing and other facilities. Training facilities for the teams during the dark winter months, were scarce or unaffordable. CBFC had a very vibrant and enthusiastic committee in the early 1990s under its forward-thinking chairman, Tony Harrison. They recognised the need for improved facilities if the club was to develop and grow and provide opportunity to their young people. The search began for an area that could be developed as a single base for all club activities.
In May 1990 local landowners, Parish Councils, the MoD and similar sport organisations in the area were contacted. The net was widened, but nothing came to fruition until January 1994 when contact was made with Mr Padfield, the owner of the land at Leafy Lane, Rudloe – and so the project began!
The Site
The site at Leafy lane was split into three main areas: west, east and the north woodlands:
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1. Western Section
Used by the MoD as a sports field for football and rugby. It was well established with a good, grass playing surface that was normally dry. The MoD had a long-term lease arrangement with Mr Padfield, which they agreed to relinquish at no cost to the project, once they understood the project objectives. This area required little work apart from fence removal and some repairs. 2. Eastern Section A planning application for change of use from agricultural land to playing fields was approved in May 1995. Extensive discussions with the FA and their advisors followed on the best way to change this area of about 8 acres, to a good and safe grass play area. A real concern was the number of stones near the surface, determined from trial holes. Extensive research was undertaken and lessons taken from similar projects. For instance, the development of the B&Q site in Chippenham, a few years before, required the relocation of the old Frogwell football pitch, to land on top of a tip. Within a few months of use, sharp items found their way to the surface and the new pitch had to be abandoned. The solution agreed with the FA and Sports Lottery was to excavate the top 200mm of existing ground, over most of the 8 acres. The material was sieved, removing the stones. The residue soil was then re-laid and seeded. |
Plan of the site (courtesy Graham Cogswell)
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3. North Woodland Area The ecology of the site was an important consideration. The four acres of woodland had no official footpaths, but had been used for recreation and dog walking for many years by local residents. Essential husbandry of the trees had been neglected, there was overcrowding, and some trees had become unsafe. A management plan was produced and agreed with the District Council for this area. Toxocariasis (a rare infection caused by roundworm parasites in dog and other faeces) was of great concern as the whole site would be used mainly by young people. They were particularly vulnerable to this infection. The advice from the National Playing Fields Association, for facilities of this type, was to have areas dedicated specifically for sport and recreation where dogs were excluded and areas where dog walkers were welcome.
To provide a dog trail around the site, the woodland would be fenced from the main sports playing area. A new dog trail and footpath was provided from the western end of the wooded area along the western boundary of the MoD field, connecting the woodland to Box Fields Road. Mixed hedging was provided for the full length of the dog trail, to separate the trail from the main field and ensure safe mixed use of the whole site. A number of indigenous trees were also planted along the boundary with Box Fields Road, to provide additional protection and enhance the character of the site.
To provide a dog trail around the site, the woodland would be fenced from the main sports playing area. A new dog trail and footpath was provided from the western end of the wooded area along the western boundary of the MoD field, connecting the woodland to Box Fields Road. Mixed hedging was provided for the full length of the dog trail, to separate the trail from the main field and ensure safe mixed use of the whole site. A number of indigenous trees were also planted along the boundary with Box Fields Road, to provide additional protection and enhance the character of the site.
Project Management
In June 1994 CBFC’s monthly newsletter asked for volunteers to push forward this exciting project. A small number of people came forward and Graham Cogswell was appointed as an unpaid Project Manager (PM). He had managed a similar project in Dorking and was an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer and Project Manager. Other volunteers were organised into sub-groups, with specific tasks. One of the most important being fundraising. The PM ran all the sub-groups and reported directly to the main CBFC committee.
The Business Plan
The scale of the challenge should not be underestimated. Project costs were estimated at £650,000 at that time. Good financial management of CBFC had led to a reserve of £2,000, hardly enough to support such ambitious plans! The creation of the Lottery Sports Fund (Lottery) in early 1995 with its focus on investment in grass roots sport, certainly made the project more realistic.
There would, however, be a scrabble of early applications from other clubs and sports, with many unknowns. We had a strong case but if successful the Lottery would only provide 65% of the funding, so 35% had to be found from other sources.
At that time grants for the development of football were targeted at the top league clubs. Other grants tended to be small and restricted, either by scope or geography. Major sponsorship or significant fund raising, for a grass roots investment like this, was unlikely. There were no major benefactors in the wings.
The Business Plan for the project was developed during 1996. This included project aims and objectives, justification, costs, funding, procurement strategy, risk management, future legal structure, running costs and income projections. Procurement of the various parts of the project had to comply with public procurement and competition rules. It was agreed to make a Lottery application on 8 December 1996. Detailed discussion about the project and key issues followed between the Lottery and our PM throughout 1997. The Lottery was in its infancy and this was one of the first projects of this type, so there was a steep learning curve for all. Contractual liabilities relied on prompt payment from the Lottery and together with land purchase represented massive risks for CBFC. These were mitigated by assurances from the Lottery. A provisional award was made by the Lottery on 15 December 1997. What a Christmas present for all involved!
In June 1994 CBFC’s monthly newsletter asked for volunteers to push forward this exciting project. A small number of people came forward and Graham Cogswell was appointed as an unpaid Project Manager (PM). He had managed a similar project in Dorking and was an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer and Project Manager. Other volunteers were organised into sub-groups, with specific tasks. One of the most important being fundraising. The PM ran all the sub-groups and reported directly to the main CBFC committee.
The Business Plan
The scale of the challenge should not be underestimated. Project costs were estimated at £650,000 at that time. Good financial management of CBFC had led to a reserve of £2,000, hardly enough to support such ambitious plans! The creation of the Lottery Sports Fund (Lottery) in early 1995 with its focus on investment in grass roots sport, certainly made the project more realistic.
There would, however, be a scrabble of early applications from other clubs and sports, with many unknowns. We had a strong case but if successful the Lottery would only provide 65% of the funding, so 35% had to be found from other sources.
At that time grants for the development of football were targeted at the top league clubs. Other grants tended to be small and restricted, either by scope or geography. Major sponsorship or significant fund raising, for a grass roots investment like this, was unlikely. There were no major benefactors in the wings.
The Business Plan for the project was developed during 1996. This included project aims and objectives, justification, costs, funding, procurement strategy, risk management, future legal structure, running costs and income projections. Procurement of the various parts of the project had to comply with public procurement and competition rules. It was agreed to make a Lottery application on 8 December 1996. Detailed discussion about the project and key issues followed between the Lottery and our PM throughout 1997. The Lottery was in its infancy and this was one of the first projects of this type, so there was a steep learning curve for all. Contractual liabilities relied on prompt payment from the Lottery and together with land purchase represented massive risks for CBFC. These were mitigated by assurances from the Lottery. A provisional award was made by the Lottery on 15 December 1997. What a Christmas present for all involved!
Funding
We had come a long way already, yet in many ways the problems had only just begun. During early 1998 partnership funding had to be confirmed as well as project details, designs and tender prices. A structure and governance for the new organisation had to be put in place, while keeping everybody motivated and interested. The required partnership funding was £220,000. Fund-raising had started in October 1996 with a whole series of small but significant events. Draws, sponsored events, quiz nights, dances, Darts marathon and many more events raised over £30,000 (14%) over the next two years. The core fund raising team of Julie Lye, Maureen Newman, Lesley Ralph, Phil Beattie, Andy Fulham, Frank Grosvenor and Graham Cogswell, (with fantastic support from families, friends and CBFC parents and friends), enabled early expenditure on planning applications, printing etc to be made so that progress of the project was not a draw on limited CBFC reserves. The number and range of events enabled publicity of the project as well as social events that brought the whole project together.
North Wilts District Council were particularly helpful and supportive throughout the development of the project and gave grants totalling 34%. The football associations gave grants of 5%, plus 11% specifically for the all-weather training area. An extensive trawl through the charities register, resulted in a number of successful applications and a further 10% in grants. A number of services in kind were eligible for match funding by the lottery totalling some 16% such as the diversion of electric cables and the PM's time. Miscellaneous income amounted to some 10%. The Partnership Funding was confirmed to the Lottery, resulting in final Lottery approval in July 1998.
We had come a long way already, yet in many ways the problems had only just begun. During early 1998 partnership funding had to be confirmed as well as project details, designs and tender prices. A structure and governance for the new organisation had to be put in place, while keeping everybody motivated and interested. The required partnership funding was £220,000. Fund-raising had started in October 1996 with a whole series of small but significant events. Draws, sponsored events, quiz nights, dances, Darts marathon and many more events raised over £30,000 (14%) over the next two years. The core fund raising team of Julie Lye, Maureen Newman, Lesley Ralph, Phil Beattie, Andy Fulham, Frank Grosvenor and Graham Cogswell, (with fantastic support from families, friends and CBFC parents and friends), enabled early expenditure on planning applications, printing etc to be made so that progress of the project was not a draw on limited CBFC reserves. The number and range of events enabled publicity of the project as well as social events that brought the whole project together.
North Wilts District Council were particularly helpful and supportive throughout the development of the project and gave grants totalling 34%. The football associations gave grants of 5%, plus 11% specifically for the all-weather training area. An extensive trawl through the charities register, resulted in a number of successful applications and a further 10% in grants. A number of services in kind were eligible for match funding by the lottery totalling some 16% such as the diversion of electric cables and the PM's time. Miscellaneous income amounted to some 10%. The Partnership Funding was confirmed to the Lottery, resulting in final Lottery approval in July 1998.
Costs
Compliance with the Lottery procedures and conditions was an essential requirement of the main funders. A comprehensive cost plan was developed based on known costs, contracted sums, and estimates with a reasonably tight level of contingency agreed. The various elements of the project had to be signed off by the appointed Architect and/or the PM via their professional status, for both cost and technical compliance. The projects costs were broadly split into five main areas:-
The landowner would only sell the land rather than a long-term lease. The Lottery preferred this approach as a more secure long-term investment, and it was beneficial to the project as it reduced future revenue liabilities. Three independent valuations confirmed a fair price. It was decided to tender the main works as separate packages, giving overall better value and control. These reflected the nature of the works and were all competitively tendered. The final amounts paid were all within the agreed budgets.
The main building works were undertaken by Keyford Construction. This included the main car park and associated works.
The tender process and subsequent works were managed by our appointed Architect, Brian Bishop Architects (BBA) of Bath. Kevin Ford Landscapes planted the mixed hedging and post and netting fencing to the dog trail, as well as the trees alongside Box Fields Road The excavation for Area B and regrading to form the new pitches was undertaken by Nigel Freeman with sieving and stone removal by a specialist machine and operators. Kevin Ford managed this work and carried out the reseeding of some six acres of new pitches. The all-weather play area was constructed in one package by Bernhard’s Sports Surfaces Ltd, who specialised in that type of work. This included excavation surfacing, fencing and initial flood lighting.
Once the main project was complete the flood lighting to the all-weather area was upgraded, and a large store provided for equipment. The total cost was an additional £50,000. This was funded by various additional grants, particularly from NWDC.
This took the project out turn cost to £700,000.
Compliance with the Lottery procedures and conditions was an essential requirement of the main funders. A comprehensive cost plan was developed based on known costs, contracted sums, and estimates with a reasonably tight level of contingency agreed. The various elements of the project had to be signed off by the appointed Architect and/or the PM via their professional status, for both cost and technical compliance. The projects costs were broadly split into five main areas:-
- Land purchase and associated costs 20%
- Building construction and associated costs 61%
- External works including improved playing surfaces 6%
- All weather play area 9%
- Miscellaneous (Pitch and maintenance equipment, set up costs etc.) 4%
The landowner would only sell the land rather than a long-term lease. The Lottery preferred this approach as a more secure long-term investment, and it was beneficial to the project as it reduced future revenue liabilities. Three independent valuations confirmed a fair price. It was decided to tender the main works as separate packages, giving overall better value and control. These reflected the nature of the works and were all competitively tendered. The final amounts paid were all within the agreed budgets.
The main building works were undertaken by Keyford Construction. This included the main car park and associated works.
The tender process and subsequent works were managed by our appointed Architect, Brian Bishop Architects (BBA) of Bath. Kevin Ford Landscapes planted the mixed hedging and post and netting fencing to the dog trail, as well as the trees alongside Box Fields Road The excavation for Area B and regrading to form the new pitches was undertaken by Nigel Freeman with sieving and stone removal by a specialist machine and operators. Kevin Ford managed this work and carried out the reseeding of some six acres of new pitches. The all-weather play area was constructed in one package by Bernhard’s Sports Surfaces Ltd, who specialised in that type of work. This included excavation surfacing, fencing and initial flood lighting.
Once the main project was complete the flood lighting to the all-weather area was upgraded, and a large store provided for equipment. The total cost was an additional £50,000. This was funded by various additional grants, particularly from NWDC.
This took the project out turn cost to £700,000.
Governance and Structure
CBFC had led, funded and motivated this project from an early stage but as a “Boys Football Club” it needed to fully embrace wider diversity requirements of local youth football. The Leafy Lane Project became the driver for that change but with a wider vision -To create a high quality, local community facility, which gave sportsmen and women of all ages an opportunity to enjoy sporting and recreational activity. The first step on this journey was a major consultation with CBFC members and parents in 1998. The result was full support for the project and its vision and that the club change its name and constitution to AFC Corsham. The next step was consideration of the structure and governance of the new Leafy Lane Playing Fields organisation (LLPF). The structure needed to give clarity of responsibility between provision of facilities and organising sports or recreational activities. This separation of responsibilities was essential to align with Lottery criteria and to enable other sporting organisations to become involved.
Leafy Lane Playing Fields became the overarching organisation, owning, providing and managing the facilities. and was established as a private limited company with a board of directors, drawn from the organisations that would use the facilities.
It became a registered charity with Trustees. LLPF became VAT registered, which brought significant financial benefits for the project. The company was first registered at Companies House in October 1996 (for the purposes of the Lottery application) but really started operating in July 1998 with five Company Directors: Tony Harrison, Peter Ford, Graham Cogswell (chairman) and two from the District Council, Margaret Rousell and Roy Jackson.
The company had a management committee which included the LLPF Directors and representatives from the main subsidiary clubs at that time: AFC Corsham (Stuart Wilmott and Robert Knight), Rudloe Football Club (Phil Beattie) and Box Hill Cricket Club (Bob Morrish and Martin Weeks) and a representative from local residents (Peter Morgan), who also became the secretary of LLPF. The initial Charity Trustees were the three main LLPF Directors plus Lorraine Harrison and Don Young. The company
hired the facilities to the individual clubs for training, matches and events. These clubs had their own independent constitution and governance.
To put initial usage into context, the other clubs hired the facilities for on average of one game a week during their seasons, while AFC Corsham averaged some twelve to fifteen matches over each weekend, plus up to fifteen training sessions each week. Many of these activities continued throughout the summer months. Practically therefore, LLPF was very dependent on AFC Corsham for its viability in its early days and relied on financial support from that club.
CBFC had led, funded and motivated this project from an early stage but as a “Boys Football Club” it needed to fully embrace wider diversity requirements of local youth football. The Leafy Lane Project became the driver for that change but with a wider vision -To create a high quality, local community facility, which gave sportsmen and women of all ages an opportunity to enjoy sporting and recreational activity. The first step on this journey was a major consultation with CBFC members and parents in 1998. The result was full support for the project and its vision and that the club change its name and constitution to AFC Corsham. The next step was consideration of the structure and governance of the new Leafy Lane Playing Fields organisation (LLPF). The structure needed to give clarity of responsibility between provision of facilities and organising sports or recreational activities. This separation of responsibilities was essential to align with Lottery criteria and to enable other sporting organisations to become involved.
Leafy Lane Playing Fields became the overarching organisation, owning, providing and managing the facilities. and was established as a private limited company with a board of directors, drawn from the organisations that would use the facilities.
It became a registered charity with Trustees. LLPF became VAT registered, which brought significant financial benefits for the project. The company was first registered at Companies House in October 1996 (for the purposes of the Lottery application) but really started operating in July 1998 with five Company Directors: Tony Harrison, Peter Ford, Graham Cogswell (chairman) and two from the District Council, Margaret Rousell and Roy Jackson.
The company had a management committee which included the LLPF Directors and representatives from the main subsidiary clubs at that time: AFC Corsham (Stuart Wilmott and Robert Knight), Rudloe Football Club (Phil Beattie) and Box Hill Cricket Club (Bob Morrish and Martin Weeks) and a representative from local residents (Peter Morgan), who also became the secretary of LLPF. The initial Charity Trustees were the three main LLPF Directors plus Lorraine Harrison and Don Young. The company
hired the facilities to the individual clubs for training, matches and events. These clubs had their own independent constitution and governance.
To put initial usage into context, the other clubs hired the facilities for on average of one game a week during their seasons, while AFC Corsham averaged some twelve to fifteen matches over each weekend, plus up to fifteen training sessions each week. Many of these activities continued throughout the summer months. Practically therefore, LLPF was very dependent on AFC Corsham for its viability in its early days and relied on financial support from that club.
Building Design
The site was within the Green Belt and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Careful consideration was given to all aspects of the design and future operation of the building, particularly the size and scale of the building. The size and standard of finishes directly influence the building cost, as well as future maintenance liabilities. Brian Bishop Architects (BBA) were appointed to help develop ideas and undertake the design.
Future usage projections gave the optimum size for changing as ten changing rooms, split between two halves of the building. This allowed for phased opening when less games were being played. A large and complex boiler system was required to provide large volumes of hot water once a game had finished as well as heating of the building in zones. It was decided not to provide a bar, but a small kitchen and tearoom. The size of the tearoom caused much debate but was eventual based on likely operation. The internal layout had to comply with FA and Sports Council requirements as well as being suitable for expected use. There had to be separate changing rooms for home and away teams, as well as Referees. The size of changing, toilet and shower areas were all prescribed with no compromise in standards allowed, for youth sport.
The conventional and most economic design would be to have changing rooms either side of a central corridor, but this would have resulted in a very wide bulky building with a large-scale high roof. These effects were minimised by breaking down the form of the building to produce small-scale roofs and thereby reducing visual impact.
The initial ideas and designs were presented to the first of several open public meetings in February 1996. Concerns were raised resulting in the size of the building and car park being reduced, although a grassed over-flow area for extra parking was designated. These were then drawn up and a planning application submitted. Full planning permission was granted on 1 July 1996. Approval of a second application for the floodlit all-weather and tennis court area was granted on 1 September 1997.
The site was within the Green Belt and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Careful consideration was given to all aspects of the design and future operation of the building, particularly the size and scale of the building. The size and standard of finishes directly influence the building cost, as well as future maintenance liabilities. Brian Bishop Architects (BBA) were appointed to help develop ideas and undertake the design.
Future usage projections gave the optimum size for changing as ten changing rooms, split between two halves of the building. This allowed for phased opening when less games were being played. A large and complex boiler system was required to provide large volumes of hot water once a game had finished as well as heating of the building in zones. It was decided not to provide a bar, but a small kitchen and tearoom. The size of the tearoom caused much debate but was eventual based on likely operation. The internal layout had to comply with FA and Sports Council requirements as well as being suitable for expected use. There had to be separate changing rooms for home and away teams, as well as Referees. The size of changing, toilet and shower areas were all prescribed with no compromise in standards allowed, for youth sport.
The conventional and most economic design would be to have changing rooms either side of a central corridor, but this would have resulted in a very wide bulky building with a large-scale high roof. These effects were minimised by breaking down the form of the building to produce small-scale roofs and thereby reducing visual impact.
The initial ideas and designs were presented to the first of several open public meetings in February 1996. Concerns were raised resulting in the size of the building and car park being reduced, although a grassed over-flow area for extra parking was designated. These were then drawn up and a planning application submitted. Full planning permission was granted on 1 July 1996. Approval of a second application for the floodlit all-weather and tennis court area was granted on 1 September 1997.
The building plan (courtesy Graham Cogswell)
Construction and Opening
1998 was a busy year. A sod cutting ceremony was held in June 1998 by ex-England player and Swindon Town manager, Steve McMahon. The opening ceremony for the site took place over the weekend of 12 September 1998 with two days of activities attended by many thousands, included bands, stalls, events, BBQ and pig roasts, and football related activities. It was a huge celebration of the project.
The year saw the construction of the main building and other works to the grounds and the all-weather play area. Seven football pitches were prepared for use with a few smaller pitches for younger age groups. Two main training areas were established. The western section was used for games and training in the autumn of 1998. The eastern section that was reseeded and the all-weather training area were used from 1999. The main building was finished in March 1999.
In June 1999 AFC Corsham moved their well regarded 6-a-Side tournament from the Recreation Field at Box to the new facilities at Leafy Lane. The larger venue allowed some 320 teams, to play 1000 matches over the weekend of the tournament. It saw some 5,000 people visit the site over the weekend supporting or playing competitions in age groups from under six to under fifteen. A hugely successful and well organised event. Football dominated the early use of the facilities with AFC Corsham, Rudloe FC and other adult users. Unfortunately, Box Hill Cricket Club folded after a few years of use. Corsham Cricket Club decided to build an all-weather cricket wicket in 2002 for their third and fourth teams. Other sports and activities on the site include tennis, running, netball, guides and play groups. There has been a range of individual and one off hires from birthdays parties to a polling station. The dog walk around the site has been enjoyed by many locals.
Conclusion
The facilities have enabled AFC Corsham to provide a greater range of training and development opportunities for their young members, some of whom have gone on to the very top level of the football structure, while others have enjoyed the togetherness that comes with sport. Football Club academies used the site on a regular basis, initially Southampton FC, Bristol City FC and Swindon Town with the latter continuing to run summer workshops.
Many people have used the facilities in the twenty-one years since it was fully up and running. It required a lot of hard work and determination by a group of people and contributions from a wider pool, too many to name individually. I am sure that they all have received great satisfaction from the pleasure and enjoyment that the facilities have given over the years. They have given sportsmen and women of all ages an opportunity to enjoy sporting and recreational activity. LLPF is a good example of how a Lottery funding has been the catalyst for a community initiative that has led to a substantial investment in grass roots sport in Box.
1998 was a busy year. A sod cutting ceremony was held in June 1998 by ex-England player and Swindon Town manager, Steve McMahon. The opening ceremony for the site took place over the weekend of 12 September 1998 with two days of activities attended by many thousands, included bands, stalls, events, BBQ and pig roasts, and football related activities. It was a huge celebration of the project.
The year saw the construction of the main building and other works to the grounds and the all-weather play area. Seven football pitches were prepared for use with a few smaller pitches for younger age groups. Two main training areas were established. The western section was used for games and training in the autumn of 1998. The eastern section that was reseeded and the all-weather training area were used from 1999. The main building was finished in March 1999.
In June 1999 AFC Corsham moved their well regarded 6-a-Side tournament from the Recreation Field at Box to the new facilities at Leafy Lane. The larger venue allowed some 320 teams, to play 1000 matches over the weekend of the tournament. It saw some 5,000 people visit the site over the weekend supporting or playing competitions in age groups from under six to under fifteen. A hugely successful and well organised event. Football dominated the early use of the facilities with AFC Corsham, Rudloe FC and other adult users. Unfortunately, Box Hill Cricket Club folded after a few years of use. Corsham Cricket Club decided to build an all-weather cricket wicket in 2002 for their third and fourth teams. Other sports and activities on the site include tennis, running, netball, guides and play groups. There has been a range of individual and one off hires from birthdays parties to a polling station. The dog walk around the site has been enjoyed by many locals.
Conclusion
The facilities have enabled AFC Corsham to provide a greater range of training and development opportunities for their young members, some of whom have gone on to the very top level of the football structure, while others have enjoyed the togetherness that comes with sport. Football Club academies used the site on a regular basis, initially Southampton FC, Bristol City FC and Swindon Town with the latter continuing to run summer workshops.
Many people have used the facilities in the twenty-one years since it was fully up and running. It required a lot of hard work and determination by a group of people and contributions from a wider pool, too many to name individually. I am sure that they all have received great satisfaction from the pleasure and enjoyment that the facilities have given over the years. They have given sportsmen and women of all ages an opportunity to enjoy sporting and recreational activity. LLPF is a good example of how a Lottery funding has been the catalyst for a community initiative that has led to a substantial investment in grass roots sport in Box.
Sources
Main Newspaper articles
Launch of Leafy Lane Project, Chippenham News, 11 October 1996 and Bath Chronicle, 12 October 1996
Lottery Award Report, Chippenham News, 12 September 1997 and Bath Chronicle, 12 September 1997
Sod Cutting ceremony by Steve McMahon, Bath Chronicle, 27 June 1998 and Western Daily Press, 24 June 1998
Opening Ceremony “Field of dreams becomes reality”, Chippenham News, 18 September 1998
“Lottery sports field are a success story”, Bath Evening Chronicle, 19 March 1999
First 6-a-side Tournament at Leafy Lane, Wiltshire Times Series, 18 June 1999 and Gazette & Herald, 17 June 1999
Main Newspaper articles
Launch of Leafy Lane Project, Chippenham News, 11 October 1996 and Bath Chronicle, 12 October 1996
Lottery Award Report, Chippenham News, 12 September 1997 and Bath Chronicle, 12 September 1997
Sod Cutting ceremony by Steve McMahon, Bath Chronicle, 27 June 1998 and Western Daily Press, 24 June 1998
Opening Ceremony “Field of dreams becomes reality”, Chippenham News, 18 September 1998
“Lottery sports field are a success story”, Bath Evening Chronicle, 19 March 1999
First 6-a-side Tournament at Leafy Lane, Wiltshire Times Series, 18 June 1999 and Gazette & Herald, 17 June 1999