Work has recently commenced on the Memorial Field, adjacent to the Cricket Pitch on Henfield Common as part of the renovation of the two football pitches. As anyone knows who has undertaken any building work or garden construction, things will look particularly muddy and awful until the hard digging, weed killing and drainage work is completed, so please prepare to accept one of our favourite playing fields looking a little less than immaculate!
Already the area has already been sprayed in preparation, the sprays are safe for animals and humans and prepare the ground for the rotavators which have cleared the pitches ready for sowing. Diggers will be on site ready to create the drainage ditches very shortly. The two pitches will be cordoned-off while this happens, and while any newly laid seed is germinating.
After many years of hard work and perseverance, Henfield Parish Council, Henfield Football Club and Henfield Cricket club secured a £75,000 funding grant from Sport England towards the cost of renovating the Memorial Field on Henfield Common back in 2015.
The Henfield Memorial Field was first created in 1950, as a small corner of Henfield Common set aside in memory of the youth of Henfield who died serving their country in the Second World War. At the time it was a huge project to clear the gorse and level and drain the ground and the result was two state of the art football pitches. However the pitches have been deteriorating over the years and despite the best efforts of the council to maintain them, they are prone to flooding during the football season.
The project to drain, level and resurface these historic pitches will cost £144,679 of which £75,000 is being funded by Sport England. Horsham District Council and a community partnership comprising Henfield Parish Council and the Henfield Cricket and Football Clubs will fund the remainder.
Eddie Colgate, from the Lighting and Open Spaces Committee at Henfield Parish Council, has been involved with the project. Eddie played football for the village from a schoolboy right through to the veterans team and he shared his memories of the Memorial Field with us: “I remember when the first pitches were finished. The area went from being a gorse covered boggy area with rabbit holes to the most wonderfully smooth playing surface. It was wonderful for us children, we were thrilled to have somewhere that we could pass the ball properly!” He went on to add: “It is wonderful that we can reinstate these pitches for their proper, original reason – in memory of all those men who gave their lives during the Second World War. We are still remembering them. This is what it’s all about – for the future of the village. I have to raise my hat to the two village clubs who have put their time, energy and money behind this project.”
A representative of Henfield Football Club said: “The grant from Sport England has given us a once in a lifetime opportunity to invest in sport in what is a growing village. Over one third of the village are connected with HFC in one way or another – either as a player, parent, coach or supporter. Our teams and membership are ever -growing and we’re proud to have teams from U6 through to U18, as well as three senior teams and a veteran’s team.” Conway Thorns of Henfield Cricket Club added: “This is a fantastic opportunity for both the Cricket and Football club and for the youth of the village in general.”
The project is fantastic example of what can be achieved when local groups work together. The Memorial Field is not just used by the Football Club and the Cricket Club; it is a beautiful and much loved part of Henfield which is used for stoolball, walks, picnics, adventures, parties and dog-walking by many in the village, young and old. Although it takes up just 9% of Henfield Common, of which the other 91% is given over to the Cricket pitch, trees, wilderness and wonderful natural habitat of the common itself, it’s a very important place for local people to use and enjoy. Everyone who uses this valuable community space will benefit from the renovation work.
Emma Osman
Images courtesy of the Henfield Museum. Feature article image by Marjorie Baker. Photograph of Mike Morgan, Kevin Wright and Malcolm Eastwood by Emma Osman, BN5 magazine
