Suckley Community Plan Facilities and Projects Group

First Meeting - 22^nd February 2010.
Acting Chair Andrew Grieve explained the potential for the Community Plan. It could define and build support for projects that could then seek funding from appropriate organisations.
Each Topic team will aim to cross-support the others. The successful Christmas Fayre demonstrated the appeal of co-operation. Four community groups working together raised more funds than they had ever been able to do singularly.
Andrew tabled the elaborate Bromyard Town Plan and pointed out there was no need for Suckley to produce something so substantial. Instead we could aim at a simpler, more fluid document that evolved over time.
We identified the existing facilities in the village, which I’m going to list alphabetically: the Bruff offices, the Church, the Hall, Holloways café, the playing fields, the Post Office and shop, 2 pubs with meeting rooms, the School and the Sphere parish magazine. Is this right? Please feel free to challenge.
There was a debate as to what was satisfactory and what could be better.
One contributor had not come across the Sphere. It was suggested this invaluable newsletter should ideally be provided to every household and should make up part of a Welcome Pack for newcomers to our village.
There are 549 people living in Suckley, 100 of whom are under 18, yet there are few specific facilities for young people. Could there be a children’s playground, and, if so, where?
The problems of the geographic gap between Longley Green and the Suckley upper site (i.e. Stocks Farm to the Church/School/Holloways) was considered. This is quite a difficulty when compared with a village that has a natural heart.
In the 1950s and 60s there were frequent events at the Hall – dances and whist drives. Now people have cars and computers, so perhaps they don’t need local entertainment?
It’s generally the same faces who turn up at Hall events. Where are the others and why? Don’t they know what’s going on or don’t they care? Or maybe they want something different. Perhaps they don’t want anything at all?
Are Suckley residents going to Alfrick, Leigh or farther afield for activities – to better equipped Halls?
How do we determine the need for new things to do? Would a survey help, or would it not necessarily deliver worthwhile data?
Does Suckley need anything new or are the people who choose to live here the sort with a low appetite for interaction?
Having a well-equipped childrens’ play area seemed a pleasing proposition.
The team decided to explore this and other possibilities with their neighbours and friends (i.e. a straw poll) and report back.
What do you think?
Please let us know.
We’re meeting again on 29th March.
Mike Jackson 01886 884745.