Recreation Ground
Bamford with Thornhill Recreation Ground CIO
Registered Charity no. 1185738
What is the Recreation Ground?
The village of Bamford in the High Peak has the largest sports ground in the Hope Valley area. Its size and position make it ideally placed to support the development of sports and other outdoor activities for the local community.
The Ground is about 11 acres; it has three sports pitches, and it also serves as the sports ground for the local primary school. It contains an extensive enclosed playground area that is well used by families on a daily basis. Uniquely, it contains a highly significant area of ‘neutral unimproved grassland'. We replaced the play area fencing, which was wooden, with a more suitable and sustainable fencing at the end of 2021.
The Recreation Ground is owned by the Bamford with Thornhill Recreation Ground CIO, a charity with a Management Committee of Trustees.
The outside toilets are always closed down in the winter months due to the possibility of burst pipes.
Swings
Donations can also be made via JustGiving.
In November 2022 we had to take down our swings due to safety reasons as the wooden supports were badly corroded. We are currently in the process of apply for costs to either replace the supports or repair them, in addition we are looking to replace the play bark with a longer lasting more cost-effective surface.
We are now managed to get an approximate cost of making one set of swings safe and replacing the play bark in that swing area, with a safer and more cost effective surface. The cost for one set of swing would be in the region of £10,000.00. To make safe both sets of swings we are looking at somewhere in the region of £20,000.00.
We would like to have at least one set of swings made safe and put back in place as soon as possible, weather permitting. Unfortunately, we are not in a position to take on this work without a great deal of help, both physically and monetarily.
If you can help in any way, either by making a donation or sparing some time to come down and help, please contact either :
The Chair Dave Watson, dave.watson.bam@gmail.com or Treasurer Sue Beckett, beckett615@btinternet.com or any Committee members. Donations can also be made via JustGiving
Useful Links
The History of the Recreation Ground
Recreation Ground Environmental Policy
Recreation Ground Vulnerable Persons Policy
Recreation Ground Equal Opportunities Policy
Bamford with Thornhill Recreation Ground Terms & Conditions
Bamford with Thornhill Minimising Waste at Events
Bookings for the Recreation Ground
Bookings for the sports pitches, the pavilion or whole site bookings should be made through the Secretary and a charge will normally be levied. All event bookings must have their own third party insurance cover.
The Secretary can be contacted by email at bamford.rec@gmail.com.
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
Bamford Recreation Ground has access to the only moving water with canoe rights in the Peak Park
Orienteering
There is an orienteering map of the ground which provides a safe environment for young children, where they can be both supervised and given the freedom to explore.
Family activities
The enclosed children's playground is well used by families on a daily basis.
The Trustees and Management Committee
A list of trustees can be found here, on the Charity Commission's website.
If you would like to join the Committee our only condition is that you have taken an active interest in helping maintain the Ground over the last twelve months. If you have an hour or two to spare every two months, please contact our secretary or any member of the Committee. We would be more than pleased to hear from you.
The Trustees meet in the Bamford Village Institute at 8.00 pm the 3rd Monday of every other month.