An ambitious renovation of the North Marston sports field, including the installation of drainage pipes, began last year.

The field is due to be reseeded this month, to be followed by the installation of outdoor exercise equipment for a 'trim trail'.

November and December will bring the creation of a dipping platform over the sports field's new pond, and volunteers will build a board walk through a boggy area as part of a new nature trail.

An open meeting will be held in North Marston Village Hall on Thursday, November 13, to discuss the next phase of the project, which will include the creation of a new clubhouse. Volunteers are also invited to attend work days at the sports field on November 29 and December 29.

Karen Parks, chairwoman of the sports field working party, said the project has been planned in three stages. The first stage, completed last year, included the creation of cricket nets and the securing of grant funding.

The second stage, due for completion soon, includes major groundworks such as laying drainage and the creation of new pitches.

The final phase, for which villagers will need to find further funding, is the creation of a new clubhouse.

Ms Parks said: "We're hoping to get the field seeded at the back end of this month, and we hope to be using it by next year if the weather stays kind.

"The original brick building on the site will be turned into a secure store for the groundskeeping staff to use. The new clubhouse will be a wooden building, and we're trying to identify sources of funding."
Around £115,000 has been raised so far, and an additional £70,000 is needed for the new clubhouse.

Visit www.nmandgsportsfield.co.uk for the latest pictures, and contact Karen Parks on 01296 670417 for more information.