Playing Fields - August Update

🌿 A BUSY SUMMER AT THE PLAYING FIELDS!

It’s been a busy few weeks at Long Riston Playing Fields, both on the fields and behind the scenes.

🌱 Looking after the site

Our volunteers have kept busy with grass cutting, tidying, inspections and maintenance, while our Playing Fields “Wombles” provide extra helping hands.

Our Community Payback team continues to make a real difference, clearing brambles and blackberry growth, improving boundaries and responding to concerns around Lauty Lane.

We’ve dealt with the unofficial Lauty Lane access and are helping the hedge recover, reusing natural material where possible. We also have new saplings approved for the coming months.

🔧 Repair and reuse

Sections of the tennis court fencing have been repaired and realigned with ropes, our tractor, ingenuity and volunteer time!

Our approach: repair, reuse and make every pound go further.

⚽ Work continues to improve our grass pitches using equipment secured through the FA Grass Pitch Improvement programme.

🏀 WE REACHED OUR MUGA TARGET! 🎉

After SEVEN months of fundraising, grant applications and fantastic support, we’ve reached our target for the replacement MUGA.

A modern, safer multi-sport facility for our school, sports clubs and community is becoming a reality. Thank you to everyone who helped! 💚

🎉 £272 RAISED!

The Long Riston & Arnold Garage Sales raised a brilliant £272 for the Playing Fields.

Special thanks to Julie Richardson for organising the event and everyone who ran a stall, donated, bought a map or came along.

🌳 We’ve also completed important tree works near the MUGA and Play Park, ahead of the MUGA replacement.

🚶 A place for everyone

We’re exploring ways more people can enjoy the Playing Fields — not just through organised sport.

Take a walk, enjoy the surroundings, bring a picnic or come down and watch Riston AFC play football. Getting outside is great for wellbeing, and ERYC BetterPoints provides another reason to get moving.

☀️ Looking to the future

Plans for a solar scheme for the Pavilion are progressing, exploring ways to reduce energy costs and become more sustainable. More news soon!

We’re also working on improved CCTV coverage, with quotes and grant funding being progressed.

🛴 Working together

We’ve had challenges around e-scooter use, but when we’ve spoken directly with those involved, we’ve been really pleased with how supportive and understanding they’ve been.

We’ve also had excellent support from the Police and Neighbourhood Team, whose presence around the Playing Fields provides positive reinforcement. 👍

🏠 Behind the scenes

Our latest PAT and Legionella testing is complete, alongside routine Pavilion maintenance and improvements to the kitchen.

Our OneLottery provides valuable regular income, while we’re exploring other sustainable income to help meet our running costs.

❤️ And most importantly...

The Playing Fields have been busy — school activities, football, tennis, families, children playing, walking and enjoying the open space.

That’s ultimately why we do it.

A huge THANK YOU to our volunteers and everyone who has donated, supported our fundraising, raised a concern, offered an idea or helped look after this fantastic community space. 👏💚

Long Riston Playing Fields Committee
Registered Charity No. 523268

Just Giving : https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/longristonpfc

One Lottery : https://www.onelottery.co.uk/support/long-riston-playing-fields-committee