Letter: Some Areas of Stoughton Seem To Be in No Man’s Land

Published on: 30 Jul, 2016
Updated on: 30 Jul, 2016

From Brian Holt

I agree with Les Knight’s comment on the article: Guildford’s Parks Are Among The Best In The UK and I expect he has noticed, living in Stoughton for many years, it never gets anything.

Nothing is done to improve the play area in the rec, when all over the rest of the borough everyone has new playgrounds. We have had no road sweepers, no litter pickers, no grass cutting along the Worplesdon Road verges, no one dealing with parking issues.

Stoughton Recreation Ground.

Although we are in Stoughton, we come under Westborough ward. Is this where the confusion is? Things never get done by the Westborough team, and the Stoughton team never come round because they think the Westborough team do it.

Even some local councillors do not seem to know where the ward boundaries are; we never see any around here.

It’s like living in no man’s land.

Responses to Letter: Some Areas of Stoughton Seem To Be in No Man’s Land

Mary Redgwell Reply

July 30, 2016 at 4:26 pm

Facilities at Stoughton Rec could do with an upgrade.
C Barker Reply

July 31, 2016 at 9:25 am

I agree, especially, as a resident of Shepherds Hill, the parking; the situation when the football clubs use the rec is beyond a joke. I often have my driveway block leaving my family prisoners in our own home, or if it’s not blocked and we go out we cannot park anywhere near home upon our return for the hundreds of cars on Northway, Fentum Road and Shepherds Hill.

There’s enough space on the rec to extend the ridiculous 15 space car park.

Also the litter situation, I often sweep and pick up litter because the council don’t do it, yet they cut the grass on the rec constantly and when the tractor leaves the rec travelling past my house dropping mud and grass cuttings all up the street, this is never cleaned up, it’s left to the rain which just moves it towards the gutter leaving a stodgy mess which looks disgusting and unkempt. Someone needs to take responsibility for the area.
Fiona White Reply

July 31, 2016 at 1:55 pm

I will come to Stoughton Rec at 7.30pm on Thursday evening, 4th August, and will be happy to meet and talk with any residents who come along. I will wait at the Northway entrance so that you can find me.

Although the Rec is run by Guildford Borough Council and I am a county councillor, I will do whatever I can to help get a better plan from the Park Department for the running of the Rec.
Rainee Wornham Reply

August 1, 2016 at 4:09 pm

Living behind Stoughton Recreation Ground for 30 years has been a pleasure knowing it can never be built on. However, after constant nagging for so many years to Guildford Borough Council (GBC) parks department, regarding the maintenance of the Rec, it still falls on deaf ears.

In 2013, 14 and 15 I took photos of the play equipment, benches, bins, picnic tables etc. The picnic tables had bird droppings on them inside the play area those bird droppings are still there growing mould! And the play equipment is still in the same condition, as are the disgusting bins and benches!

The condition of the play equipment,safety matting is diabolical I can only recommend to parents to take wet wipe’s to clean off the equipment their children are going to use!

The council cut the grass and run. They only seem to want to pay attention to the football pitches.The middle path was edged and when the workmen got to the bottom they threw the cuttings under the bush by the Northway gate entrance. So this amazing recreation ground is truly unkempt and so very much unloved by those who have been left in charge to care for it.

All we are asking for is our recreation ground and area to be respected and to be put in a condition that our children, grandchildren, elderly and all residents and visitors can enjoy and say how very proud we are of it. The ground went down hill after GBC decided to remove our park warden Nicola King.