Community Delivery Fund investment secures future of Sherfield English recreation hub
A much-loved community facility at the heart of Sherfield English is set to benefit from a major programme of improvements after receiving £123,975 from Test Valley Borough Council's Community Delivery Fund (CDF).
The funding will support a series of upgrades at the recreation ground and pavilion, helping to secure the future of a site that has served the village for more than 25 years.
The recreation ground is home to a wide range of sports and activities, including football, cricket, netball, bowls, croquet, tennis and walking football. It also includes a children's play area, hosts community events throughout the year and has been identified as a key resilience hub for the parish.
The project will replace an ageing sewage system, improve drainage across sports pitches, install new fencing and introduce a height-restrictive barrier to improve access and security. Together, these improvements will help the site accommodate growing community use, reduce cancellations caused by poor weather and ensure facilities remain fit for purpose for years to come.
The upgrades will also strengthen the site's role as a resilience hub, supporting its place within Sherfield English's coordinated community resilience plan. The improvements will enhance the site's ability to support residents during emergencies, provide a suitable location for emergency services and air ambulance access, and ensure the facilities can continue serving the community when they are needed most.
The funding follows several years of investment and improvements delivered by the volunteer-led committee. Working closely with local residents, community groups, the parish council and other organisations, the committee has transformed the recreation ground into a thriving centre for sport, recreation and social connection.
Community support for the latest improvements has been strong, with more than 150 people backing plans to improve drainage and dozens more sharing their views through surveys, petitions and community engagement activities.
Councillor Stewart MacDonald, portfolio holder for community led projects, said; "One of the real strengths of the Community Delivery Fund is that it allows councillors to work closely with communities and understand what really matters to local people. Through our place-based work in Blackwater, residents told us how important it is to protect and improve rural facilities like this for future generations.
"The Sherfield English Recreation Hub has shown what can be achieved when passionate local volunteers listen to their community and plan for the long term. These improvements are about much more than infrastructure. They will help people stay active, bring residents together, support the village in an emergency and ensure the recreation ground remains a valuable community asset for decades to come."
Councillor Nick Adams-King, ward member for Blackwater, said: "I've seen first-hand the commitment and ambition of the volunteers who run the recreation project over many years. The team understand their community and are constantly looking for ways to improve what is on offer for local people. This investment will help them build on that work, creating more opportunities for residents to take part in sport, social activities and community events, while securing the long-term future of this important village asset."
The Community Delivery Fund supports projects that help communities thrive by investing in local facilities, services and initiatives that respond directly to local needs. The fund encourages long-term, preventative approaches that strengthen communities and improve opportunities for residents.
For Sherfield English, the improvements will help create a more sustainable and resilient facility, opening up opportunities for more sports, community activities and events while ensuring the site can continue serving residents well into the future.