It seems to have been a long time coming but it has now arrived! On 3rd September a new area for recreation and leisure will open for the use of local residents at La Feock known locally as Retallack Field. Actually it has
been a place for recreation for decades but has recently been extensively refurbished and made more accessible for people of all ages.
It seems to have been a long time coming but it has now arrived! On 3rd September a new area for recreation and leisure will open for the use of local residents at La Feock known locally as Retallack Field. Actually it has
been a place for recreation for decades but has recently been extensively refurbished and made more accessible for people of all ages.
In 1994 the title of land in this area was transferred from Phyllis Bennett and Evelyn Tozer to Feock Parish Council for use as a playing field. Covenants stating that the land must always be used for recreation and should always incorporate the word ‘Retallack’ in its name and indeed for many years the area was used for play mainly by children.
But times change and over the years people began to be interested in what we describe as ‘well being’ and the facilities that the Parish Council had provided appeared inadequate. There were many debates and ideas
given by members of the public but due to lack of financial resources and as it turned out the restrictions of the covenants on the land nothing much happened. Then the Reading Room in the village was sold and resource became available. A group of local residents came together and made a presentation to the Parish Council but nothing seemed to happen as the proposals foundered on the rocks of the covenants.
However the Parish Council had recently acquired new powers under the Parish Councils (General Powers of Competence) Order 2012 and the energy from the residents proposed ideas continued to motivate the Council to find ways of overcoming the restrictions of the covenants. Council members went back to the drawing board and with the local residents ideas in mind sought to create a new solution. The Council was also mindful of the outputs of the jointly funded Parish Council/European HAIRE project which highlighted local residents need for green spaces which could be used by people of all ages to meet together and exercise.
To suggest that the area to be called Retallack Field is an entirely new facility would be foolish. However a wider range of facilities for use by toddlers to adults has been provided; new play equipment, adult gym facilities, car parking on a ‘protected grass area’ takes cars off the street and an all weather pathway has been introduced to enable older people to safely access the new seating that has been installed. An area of wild flowers is being sown by local children and the wider views of the surrounding countryside are being utilised for the enjoyment of our older citizens in particular.
A note of explanation about why it has not been possible to use some of the ideas offered by members of the public is needed. The Covenants on the land made in 1994 have made it impossible to build a pavilion or even
a toilet but it is hoped that the new improvements and facilities we have been able to introduce will still be enjoyed by young people, families and older residents alike.
Many people have been involved in bringing this venture to this conclusion. Over the years people like John Brock and Phil Allen and many members of the public have made significant contributions to its eventual success. The
Council owes a debt of gratitude to all those people who have given their time and effort to this community project. The Council hopes that local parishioners and their families will enjoy Retallack Field for years to come.
Evening views from Retallack Field