Hillside Rural Activities Park - Newsletter no. 4 - December 2005

Hillside Rural Activities Park Ltd (HRAP) completed the purchase of the first field at Knayton in March this year. The second field is due to be bought by the end of March 2006 at the latest, earlier if the major funder for the land purchase makes a decision on our application this month. HRAP are hoping for a positive outcome!

HRAP have recently secured grant assistance from Defra under the Rural Enterprise Scheme of £65,000 for the drainage and groundwork. The work will include construction of a new football pitch and a seven-wicket cricket square for Knayton Football Club and Leake Cricket Club respectively. It will also provide drainage around the tennis courts. The grant is for 65% of the total cost with the balance made up from internal funds, local donations and a further grant application from the Football Foundation that is currently being prepared. Tenders have been received from three contractors and work is planned to start in the spring of 2006.

Generous local donors (some 58) have given almost £8,000, this will be increased by rebates under the gift aid scheme. The North East Region of Metal Detecting Clubs had a day on the HRAP field on Sunday 4th December. They found a number of interesting objects, some dating to Roman times. The Clubs have made a donation of £138 to the project funds. The next significant grant HRAP application is to the Rural Target Fund from Yorkshire Forward. This is for 75% of the cost for constructing a new access onto the highway (a planning requirement) and the access road and car park. A decision is expected by mid-January. HRAP have so far raised £395,000 towards the estimated total cost of £980,000. The main sponsors to date include Yorkshire Forward, Hambleton District Council, North Yorkshire County Council, Borrowby Parish Council, BP, and Defra. We have applications pending with Yorkshire Forward, Evolve (Land Fill Tax Credit Scheme), The Foundation for Sport and the Arts, Awards For All and the Local Network Fund.

A floor plan for the building has been agreed within the group. This makes provision for self-contained changing and shower facilities for the sports clubs and for the Scout/Community Hall. This floor plan will now form the basis for tenders from Design and Build contractors. Once the tenders have been received HRAP will be applying to the Big Lottery Fund and other sources of funds for the money required to put up the building. Quotations have been obtained electricity supply, septic tank and the quote for the water supply is expected shortly.

Tom Finch and Laura Keast are developing a scheme for the children’s playground. This will form the basis of the Service Element of the Duke of Edinburgh Award they are working hard for at the moment. Tom has carried out some market research with the children at Knayton School. HRAP have been in discussion with Knayton School to explore the possibility of making the facility available for both curricular and extra curricular activities. The group hope to be able to work closely with the headteacher Mr Keane and his staff to ensure that the HRAP is fully utilised by the wider community, not just the main member groups.

Mike I’Anson of Thirsk Forest is in the process of planting native broadleaf trees in the hedges around the site. In the spring a working party is planned to plant hedging to fill in the gaps in a number of areas. An open day at Knayton Village Hall on Saturday 11th February will provide the opportunity to answer any questions from local residents and other interested parties. If you would like more information about the project, would like to help or make a donation, please contact either Janet Peckitt (01845 537557) or Moray Finch (01845 537034) or visit www.hrap.co.uk

Notes: The Hillside Rural Activities Park is to be located at a site close to the A19 trunk road, between the villages of Borrowby and Knayton, North Yorkshire (grid reference SE 42918 88091).

Covering 28 acres, the site will host 2500 visitors for the Borrowby Show in July each year. At all other times it will feature a combined Scout meeting hall and indoor sport facility, a cricket pitch, football pitch, 3 tennis courts, a 1400m jogging / walking track and an open grassed area suitable for pony and riding club rallies.

The rural area that this park would serve, lacks a basic range of amenities and commercial facilities, which other communities would take for granted. This park will alleviate this situation by providing a permanent co-location for key existing community organisations that, without this, are currently suffering serious operational difficulties.