News
Centenary Projects at the Rec
As part of the Centenary Celebrations, the Trust carried out three improvements that were long overdue:
Parking Facilities to Protect Trees with TPO's.
The impact of Phase 1 above and the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in a 500% increase in cars visiting the Recreation Ground. Our parking spaces for six cars has become insufficient for the numbers of visitors we now have. This resulted in visitors parking beneath trees with Tree Preservation Orders (of which we have in excess of 100) creating detrimental compaction of the root system. We needed to construct a new parking area with a soft surface. This has been completed.
Refurbish the Entrance Gates.
The Entrance Gates to the Trust Grounds also give access to the King George V Playing Field. They are very fine heritage ornate wrought iron gates that were erected in 1936 and officially opened by The Duke of Beaufort that year. These historic gates and associated railings have sadly corroded badly and are in need of a full restoration. The Trust has had these gates refurbished and reinstated.
Play Area Safety Fencing.
The Children's Play Area runs alongside the access road to the car park and for children's safety needed to have a proper safety fence, as approved by RoSPA rather than the previous agricultural post and rail fence that risked head and finger entrapment. The Trust has provided a RoSPA approved bow-top steel fence alongside the road to ensure the safety of the children using the facility.
These three PHASE 2 projects have been carried out in the Trusts Centenary year and has cost £57,000. Funding of £45,000 has come from Enovert (Landfill tax monies) and the balance from Gloucestershire County Council, Coleford Town Council, Coleford Area Partnership and Gloucestershire Playing Fields Association.
Refurbishing the Leonard Craze Pavilion
The work to refurbish the Leonard Craze Pavilion has continued to progress – but not without some issues that needed to be overcome.
TRANCHE 1- WORKS TO INCORPORATE ATTACHED OUTBUILDINGS & PROVIDE TOILETS
The works to Tranche 1 of the project started in late February in order to meet Planning Control requirements – some of the demolition works like removing the old steel roof needed to be undertaken before the start of the bird-nesting season! On the way we found issues such as the structural connection of the outbuildings to the Pavilion were inadequate and needed to be reinforced and we found some rotten timber in the roof of the pavilion which stands against the prevailing weather. These were all taken care of and with the kind weather that we had during the spring and summer progress was good. All the new toilets are now operational and complete.
TRANCHE 2 – WORKS TO REMOVE PARTITION WALLS TO CREATE A LARGE COMMUNITY ROOM
The works to Tranche 2 progressed well – all the party-walls were demolished and the roof supported with steel beams. Rising damp was found in the existing floor screed that was due to the disintegration of the 1960's Damp Proof Membrane. We have lifted the screed and fitted a new membrane and screed at extra cost. New floor coverings were fitted. Energy Conservation works have been completed as works progressed to complement the fitting of Solar Panels and Storage Battery last year. The Energy Conservation programme – the fitting of Cavity Wall and Loft Insulation has taken place and this has allowed the new render to be applied to the walls to complete Tranches 1 and 2.
Tranches 1 and 2 have been funded by grants from Enovert Community Trust, Forest of Dean District Council, the Summerfield Trust, the Bernard Sunley Foundation and Coleford Bowls Club
TRANCHE 3 – WORKS TO BUILD AN EXTENSION TO EXTEND THE SCULLERY AND PROVIDE A KITCHEN & STOREROOM.
Tranche 3 was to build a small kitchen extension to the existing scullery. The excavation of the ground for the foundations hit some problem with very rocky ground conditions juxta the Pavilion. Building Control required us to underpin the existing structure and we had to employ a structural engineer to design the underpin at extra cost. The excavation, underpinning and laying of foundations were delayed somewhat but eventually completed allowing the extension to be built. A new kitchen and adjacent bar has been completed and is in service.
Tranche 3 was funded by grants from the Garfield Weston Trust and the National Lottery Community Fund
The Building now has fully insulated walls and roof and been re-rendered. The Insulation has the complement of Solar Panels and Battery Energy storage and is close to Net-Zero
TRANCHE 4 – PROVIDE CHANGING ROOMS
The Final Tranche 4 to provide new changing rooms is yet to commence but funding has been promised by Sport England, Ken Manns and Coleford Bowls Club. It is hoped that these works will commence as the weather allows and be completed in early 2026.
The concrete base in the photo above is ready to accept the new Changing Rooms.
As this project comes towards its completion, the Trust would like to thank all of the Trusts, Foundations, Councils, Clubs and Individuals that have contributed to the funding of £201,300 that will have made this project possible and all the individuals and local companies & contractors that have encouraged and contributed time and advice.
