Scrooby Community Gardens Design Brief

The suggestion that residents, instead of the Parish Council, being responsible for the 'developement and maintenance' of areas such as the 'Play area' and the Pinfold are to my mind 'not on'.

First, the Play area; this is only suitable for the purpose for which it was designed.

Second, Area 2. Most of this piece of land was originally designated as a car parking area - something that was always needed and more so now that, hopefully, the hall will be used more. Also the speed of some car drivers along Low Road would be a hazard to the unwary using this area for 'recreation'.

Third, the Pinfold. Too small for any present day use that I can think of except as a tourist attraction.

To close. What is The Croft for, if not to provide for, 'a pleaseant environment for village events and day to day recreation' .

Reply to Pete Lewington

How negative!

Area 1. The play area could well benefit from some planting and decoration

Area 2. Is quite unsuitable for car parking and is a grassy extension of the croft and could be much improved by some inspired horticulture

Area 3. The pinfold has been used as a dump for far too long and we are to have a working party just to clear it up - some horticultural expertise could presumably suggest some appropriate plants for this shaded area

As to the PC doing it - just what resource are we supposed to provide apart from encouragement and support....

I cetainly agree to the pinfold being maintained.

For some years we rented the pinfold from the PC,and used it has a vegitable/herb patch, but they suddenly decided to take over the maintenance.

I have tried since to do something with it but it now needs so much work that a village project is ideal.

It should be mentioned that only certain things will grow in this area it is very shaded and walled part way round. We tried growing beetroot and got beetroot the size of crab apples and stalks/leaves like small trees!!

It is a very calm and peaceful place to be in.

I would also like to have some input into what goes into the pinfold (although I shall submit a plan myself)as it does directly effect the outlook from my garden.

Can I also mention that in the past I have removed dozens of lager cans, old newspapers and even a bag full of Traders which the lad could not be bothered to deliver from the pinfold.

Hopefully if it looks cared for this will not happen in the future.

I'm afraid that I agree with the previous comments by Mr Lewington regarding areas 1 & 3.

Area 1 is clearly a play area, and it would seem to me that with children very much part of the village community it should remain so. It is a safe valuable area for them. Any plants within this area would be likely to be regularly damaged. However nettles etc need to be permanently removed (glycophosphate?).

Area 3, the Pinfold, should certainly be 'renovated' with removal of the awful ivy, and general restoration. It is however a poor area for any cultivation, which also is not part of its initial purpose. It is overhung by trees and has a northerly aspect, which together with high walls and a small internal space leaves it relatively dank and dark. I would support however its restoration as a village feature and would gladly help with this. Perhaps the base could be paved or even cobbled.

Area 2, opposite Chirnside, is a lovely area, with established small trees and shrubs. In my view these should be preserved, but the provision of some flower beds and seating where on the occasional sunny day villagers and visitors could sit and chat would be a good amenity. The type of seating needs debate, but it will need to require minimal maintenance, eg teak, and be professionally anchored otherwise it will 'walk'. I'm afraid I would be totally opposed to this being developed as a car park.

I hope the projects will flourish, but also considerable thought be given to the maintenance and costs. Nothing would make the village loose its present level of neatness more than well meaning developments that in time become neglected. I would respectfully suggest that the whole village is actively canvassed regarding this initiative before anything is done to area 2 and that it is not just accepted that no response equals acquiescence or worse still agreement. I feel that many villagers have lived the whole, or greater parts of their lives in Scrooby, and they probably dont use the internet. I am sure that changes to their village should be sensitive to their feelings. I have only lived here 27yrs and personally feel that others should have the greater input.

Response to Comments So Far - 15 Aug 2008

Thanks for all the helpful comments, I’ll try to address each one in turn.

First the question of residents taking some responsibility for development and maintenance of some areas in the village. Parish counsellors are elected representatives who give their time freely to Scrooby residents, with the exception of the unelected Clerk to the Council they are unpaid. By electing counsellors we are asking them to speak for us because it is impractical to run things in any other way, but they are working on our behalf and I think we should support them in every way including practical help. I don’t think we can just wash our hands of the responsibility, it’s our village and each of us needs to contribute in whatever way we can. Where funds allow counsellors arrange to contract out work required around the village, but funds are limited and I see no reason why local people should not give their time to help maintain the village environment. Occasionally working parties are organised for specific projects, for example tidying up the Whinz. The type of project I am suggesting falls into this category.

Play Area

The proposal is to continue using this as a play area with all the equipment now installed, but in addition, to look at the planting to see if it could be made more interesting for children and parents who use the area.

I agree that children may vandalise planting, but perhaps if they see that people in the village are interested in the plants and are given the opportunity to help plant and maintain the area the likelihood of vandalism may be reduced as a result of the pride they take in the work. Calls of ‘naive’ I hear in the distance, maybe, but it’s got to worth a try.

Area 2

The design spec will be amended to include the function of car park on part of this area. This should make things more interesting, I know city gardeners are coming up with some very interesting ways of combining car park areas with planting and hard landscape (I’ll check with the parish council on the dimensions).

So now the specification will read:

The area to the left of the village hall adjoining the Croft approx 35m x 15m, with the restriction that the open area 10m x 15m immediately to the left of the village hall be left suitable for car parking.

The Pinfold

Although Peter couldn’t think of any present day use for the Pinfold it seems that a number of people can as this area has prompted the most interest so far. It will be interesting to see the designs put forward for the show.

I agree with Peter that the Croft does provide a pleasant environment for village events and day to day recreation, and I’m really pleased to find that residents of Scrooby are interested in the whole village environment and want to make more of it.

I feel sure that the parish council will take into account the views residents who directly adjoin the pieces of land under discussion.

It is encouraging to have offers of help from Gary Coombes and Sue Dolby, I have also received verbal offers of help, thank you.

A maintenance plan is part of the design brief and will be taken into account when the entries are considered.

Not everyone has access to the internet so I propose to print a copy of all the comments and distribute them with the Star to Scrooby residents, just as we did with the original proposal.

I’ve measured out Area 2 and the spec should read

The area to the left of the village hall adjoining the Croft approx 35m x 15m, with the restriction that the open area 10m x 15m opposite the lowered kerb be left suitable for parking 4 cars.

The Scrooby Village Show had competition classes for each of the garden design areas. There were design entries for each of the areas. Entries were anonymous, and judged by the Reverand Richard Spray. The winning designs were:

• Area 1 (Playground): Ann Robbins
• Area 2 (North of Hall): Heidi Robbins
• Area 1 (Pinfold): Sue Dolby