2022 Update on our progress

The Community Trust was set up in October 2019 and the Trustees have worked on fundraising and have investigated all available options with the support and encouragement of the community to protect Kirkham Street Field as a green space for the people of Somerton.

Our aim was to raise the community price set by Somerset County Council of £750K by December 31st 2020.

Raising funds became difficult once lockdown started in late March 2020 and several events had to be cancelled. The Trust has so far raised just over £130,000 through direct donations and promises including £25,000 from STC and a grant of £12,500 awarded by SSDC.

Early in 2021 a third party contacted the Trust about a possible way forward. We are now pleased to have the opportunity to work with this non-profit making organisation who are keen to explore the best way forward to fulfill the community’s wishes and the Objective of the Trust by:-

• Working with the whole community
• Providing and protecting a public green space for Somerton – access for all
• Promoting environmentally-friendly solutions

The proposal, if acceptable to the community and of course SCC, will protect two thirds of the field as a community green space. The remaining third would be used as a sustainable community housing scheme.

After over two years, the Trustees are excited to have the possibility of a viable way forward.

Following the successful Public Meeting on February 17th, please click below to access the Information Leaflet:

Report from the first Workshop held in the Parish Rooms Wednesday 18th May 2022

The two successful workshops were run by Studio Shaw - the architect team of the Kindred Foundation - hosted by Kirkham Street Field Community Trust and took the form of a presentation as follows after which the opportunity for questions provided productive and fruitful discussion:-

• First a timeline was set out planning a series of workshops over the next 6 months to work collaboratively with the community to prepare a scheme in keeping with Somerton.
• Secondly some very different examples of co-housing were shown from UK and Europe, each then ‘planted’ within the footprint of the Field to demonstrate how they could ‘fit’ on a smaller scale.
• Then we were shown a general look at how the park area could be used in different ways, eg woodland, village green, allotment and rewilding with combinations of each shown. More specific discussions will take place later on, linking with the previous Design consultation undertaken by the Trust previously
• It is planned for 2 flexible Core Groups to be set up with an average of 12 members involving the community, Kindred Foundation and the Trust. These two Core Groups will be working on the co-housing and park design separately, but coming together at key stages so that the overall design evolves at the same time with the agreement of all parties. Anyone willing to be involved at any stage in either of these Core Groups will be most welcome.
• To stay in touch and receive updates and the latest news on the Project please visit our websites – www.kirkhamstreetfield.org.uk – www.thekindredfoundation.org.uk Or on Facebook: @The Old School Field - Somerton Community Housing and Park

About

The Story of this Field so far…

Kirkham Street Field is a simple agricultural field which has served Somerton for at least a hundred years as a Fair Ground, Cricket Pitch and School playing field.

• Kirkham Street Field is 1.5 acres of meadow, with 200+ years of buried seeds, mature trees and invertebrate animals…
• Just 150 metres from the town centre with shops, cafes, pubs, bus service…
• Kirkham Street Field was used as a School playing field by King Ina Academy (formally Monteclefe Junior School). Now the new school has been built and their playing field at Northfield is in use.

The Question is

What will happen to the Field now the school has moved away, will it stay an open green space for the community?

OR

Will this Field disappear under housing and tarmac?

• The aim of the Trust is to save this field as a community green space.
• Kirkham Street Field Community Trust was registered with the Charity Commission (number 1185712) in October 2019.
• Somerton lacks 3 acres of green leisure space according to the statistics from South Somerset District Council.
• Public consultation in May 2019 showed overwhelming support for a park.

Preserving Kirkham Street Field for Public Use…
The Facts

• Who owns the field now?…Somerset County Council (SCC).
• Why is SCC selling the field?…To raise money towards the cost of the new school as agreed with the Department of Education.
• The field is registered as an Asset of Community Value with the District Council and is currently owned by Somerset County Council with whom the Trust maintains contact on an informal basis to represent the interests of the community over the future of the field.
• What is the Field really worth? The value of this field lies in its potential as a public green space for the social and environmental benefit of the whole community – what price can you put on that? It is priceless.

Somerton needs this green space for the wellbeing of the Town, for future generations and to help stop climate change before it stops us. It is the last remaining green space in Town!

Design Ideas

Possible designs for the Field as a community green space.

This diagram illustrates possible features that could be included in two thirds of the field.

The layouts are intended to reflect the suggestions from the Public Consultation by providing variety and to suit all ages, abilities and tastes. Garden designers and wildlife experts also contributed their ideas:-

• Raised beds and sensory planting alongside pathways.
• Wheelchair friendly paths allowing access to as many features of the green space as possible.
• Opportunities for horticultural projects/inter generational community gardening.

Any queries, ideas or sketches can be directed to the Design Group of the Trustees of Kirkham Street Field Community Trust by email to info@kirkhamstreetfield.org.uk, or contact Judith Hurley - design group – 01458 273079

Donate

The Trust continues to fundraise and despite locally achieving a considerable sum with donations and promises for the purchase; has been unable to reach the full target of £750,000 purchase price set by the County Council.

We would welcome donations towards ongoing expenses including publicity. Please contact our treasurer Gill Locke- see details below.

Ways to donate towards purchase:

Step 1

By Bank Transfer

Kirkham Street Field Community Trust bank details are:

Account Name: Kirkham Street Field Community Trust
Sort Code: 60-83-01
Account Number: 20418119

Then please send your details to the Charity’s Treasurer by filling in Step 2 and Step 3 Gift Aid.

By Cheque

Make your cheque payable to Kirkham Street Field Community Trust and post to the Charity’s Treasurer, Gill Locke at 8 Glanvill Road, STREET, BA16 0TN.

Note The Trust would like to record your donation so please send your details in writing with your cheque OR electronically by filling in Step 2 and Step 3 Gift Aid.

By Cash

Donations can be accepted as before by George James - please see details in his window at their West Street Office.

Step 2 Your Details

Please provide your name, address, email address with the method of donation in the boxes below so that we can record your donation.

(Alternatively written details as listed can be posted to the Charity’s Treasurer, Gill Locke at 8 Glanvill Road, STREET, BA16 0TN.)

Method of donation

Bank Transfer Cheque Cash

Please type the security code

Step 3 Gift Aid Form

Make Your Donation Worth More

Please print off and return by post

• NOTE TO DONORS:
• YOUR DATA will be protected by The Trust’s Data Protection and Privacy Policy and GDPR.
• SHOULD The Trust be unable to raise enough funds to acquire the field, donations by cheque and bank transfer will be returned to the donor’s account (NB: if you change account details please inform us by email or post to enable us to do this).