The Tongue End Playing Field Gate has been there longer than I can recall personally, I’ve no doubt that someone may remember the original installation, if you do then we’d be interested to know, drop us a line. But the gate has had its time having corroded significantly and now unhelpfully lays unhinged from the original gate posts. Time to get that corrected.
Ease of access to the field has been a struggle, in recent years this has largely impacted those arriving onsite to carry out maintenance requiring the large concrete pipe to be removed before vehicle access can even be considered. But with the gate not doing its job the concrete obstruction has been the only way to secure the area against our ongoing struggle with hare coursers.
Replacement of the gate has been high on the list for local improvement and features heavily in discussion when the field is brought up, of course not only is the security side of vital importance but it’s an eye sore on the stretch through the village. Replacing the gate with something lockable and removing the concrete pipe is something we’re all looking forward to.
As with most things it came down to the funding, for which we submitted our proposal and plans to the Deeping Wind Turbine Trust, a group receiving an annual financial grant that is distributed among local community projects. The group was very welcoming and gladly supported our request to have the gate replaced providing £595 to cover all related expenses.
For a gate of this size that can adequately secure the site and farmland beyond the £595 value was a surprisingly good quote, especially when the typical quote was coming in at around the £1500 to £2000 mark. The commission has happily awarded to the Chain Bridge Forge in Spalding, a living forge sat on the River Welland with a team who work tirelessly to support traditional blacksmithing practices, it’s a living heritage site and an absolute joy to behold.
