Trustees/Committee Members
John Soady (Hon. Chair)
Harry Beckett (Hon. Secretary)
Bill Thorp
Malcolm Sowerby
Jill Gascoigne
Sue Beckett (Hon. Treasurer)
Denry Leighton
Sally Soady
Committee Members
Peter Hearnshaw
Ian Rawson
History and present use
of the ground
The people of Bamford and Thornhill purchased the ground
from a local farmer in 1925 by public subscription for leisure use. It was established
as a trust within the trusteeship of The Bamford Institute. It was maintained
so until after the Second World War. From the Trusts’ inception until the
1950s it was used by the Bamford Institute Football Team, a Bamford Cricket Team, Hathersage Hockey Club and from the sixties
more widely by the village for other events including ‘whole site’ use by Bamford Carnival.
A small play area was established with limited appliances
in the sixties and later developed. Bamford School
uses a portion of ground in the summer.
An area has been planted with native trees to encourage
wildlife and a fenced off area has been provided for exercising dogs.
Bamford Sheep Dog Trials, a landmark trial association
in the district, has used the whole site since the 1930s for their annual event.
In the 1960s a residential caravan was provided for
the use of a warden to oversee the ground and pavilion as well as to deter growing vandalism.
The warden’s post still exists today with greater
responsibility as the Borough Council Dog Warden for the ground.
The scope of use for the ground has been widened to
include use by organisations outside the Village and even further afield largely to develop financial stability.
In the 1980s the Bamford Village Institute surrendered
the ground to the Charity Commission and set up a management trusteeship as a separate charity and this is the legal status
today.
Whilst guidance and support have been sought from Local Authority, the ground remains a charity in local
trusteeship and not part of any Authority ownership or funding arrangements.
Meetings
The Trustees meet in the Bamford Village Institute at 8.00 pm every 3rd Monday of the month. New members are always welcomed.
Bookings
Bookings for the sports pitches, the pavilion or whole site bookings should be made through the Secretary
and a charge will normally be levied.
Outdoor activities in the Recreation Ground
|
School
sports
|
Used
as playing fields by Bamford Primary
School, and the unimproved meadow provides opportunities for wildlife & ecology learning activities. |
|
Football
|
Bamford
has 2 football clubs fielding 2 senior teams and 5 junior teams. Only Bakewell and Bamford in the Derwent Valley Leagues have
3 pitches, making it ideal for tournaments. |
|
Canoeing
|
We have now established access for canoeing on the adjacent River Derwent, which is the only
access to moving water in the Peak Park. |
|
Orienteering
|
The
ground provides a safe environment for young children, where they can be both supervised and given the freedom to explore.
We have an orienteering map, and a series of exercises for use by teachers and scout / guide groups are being developed. |
|
|
|
|
Family
activities
|
The
enclosed playground area is well used by families on a daily basis, but currently without any accessible toilet facilities. We are planning to
upgade the Play Area. Read more in Friends of Bamford Play Area Blogspot. |
Forthcoming Events
May 17th
CAR BOOT SALE
to raise funds for the
'Recreation Ground Play Area'
Organised by the Bamford Playground Committee
May
25th Bamford Sheepdog Trials
including Fell Race
