2021 Autumn Update

As the year draws on we would like to update you about our progress with acquiring Kirkham Street Field for community use.

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 recent grant of £12,500 awarded by SSDC.

In April the Community Trust contacted the County Council to ask if the field could be left to grow without mowing in order to follow the current theme of ‘no mow May’ and the Field became a rich meadow providing a habitat for bees and butterflies etc – see photo above taken in the summer.

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. Further details will be publicised, including here on the Trust website; and a public meeting will then be arranged as a first step in the community consultation – watch this space!

For further information contact the Trustees

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 mowed 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.

Buying 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 County Council has agreed in turn to sell this field as an asset of Community Value to Kirkham Street Field Community Trust at an asking price of £750,000 before it goes to the open market.
• 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.

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.
• Initially the Field will remain as it is - an open green space - with the potential to develop all or some of the above ideas over time as funding allows.
• Maintenance is planned to be minimal.

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 is now working to raise the money from businesses, individuals and grants locally and throughout the UK and beyond.

• Please donate with a gift of a lifetime or whatever you can spare.
• Every donation counts … big and small.
• £10 buys approximately one square-foot of the 1.5 acre field.
• 750 people donating £1000 each could buy the whole field.
• and 7500 people donating £100 each could buy the field.

Join this community to buy the last available green space in the town centre. This gift will benefit future generations in Somerton. If you live far away and care about climate change then join us by donating to save a simple field of grass and trees and more.

The clock is ticking...

Kirkham Street Field Community Trust is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered in England and Wales number 1185712. The principal office is 6 May Pole Knap, Somerton TA11 6HR.

Please donate with a gift of a lifetime or whatever you can spare

Ways to donate…

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).