Save all Plymouth Civil Service Sports Club pitches and greens from building

The Plymouth Civil Service Sports Club in Recreation Road has provided Rugby, Cricket Football and Lawn Bowling pitches and greens to more than a generation of Plymouth people. Indeed the Club's premises date back to the inter-war years.

Although the Club once had 15000 members it latterly dropped to 5-7000 members before it was closed in 2007 by the Civil Service Sports Council in London. The membership may have dropped for many reasons: a change in Civil Servant's status or the harsher drink driving laws may have brought about the decline in profitable bar takings. Whilst overall club revenues declined there was no diminishment in demand for the pitches and greens. Demand exceeded supply.

The bowling greens were used morning noon and evening throughout the season consistent with green keeping care by Pete and Tom the grounds men. This capacity usage was only curtailed by the compulsory closure of the Civil Service Club Plymouth in August 2007. Many bowls teams both ladies and gents of all ages were forced to seek alternative playing facilities from West Cornwall to East Devon. Likewise the cricketers ran a number of teams from Colts age upwards. The wickets were used to capacity and they have now had to move to Buckfastleigh to play. Similarly the rugby and football pitches were used by all ages to capacity till closure. The Council is arguing that demand for these pitches and greens had declined-justifying building. Research would indicate otherwise.

All of the sports facilities have been allowed to degrade through neglect by the Civil Service Sports Council over the last two years. We request they be put back into operation on a basis that ordinary people can enjoy. These green areas are the very lungs of Beacon Park.

If you believe strongly in preserving open sports fields, pitches and greens and helping to maintain a greener, better environment for Plymouth people and beyond then please, sign this petition. Lawn Bowlers worldwide please help your brethren retain greens.

http://www.npfa.co.uk/downloads/fittenstepguide.pdf
www.saveourgreenspaces.org
www.protectourgreenspaces.com
www.ourgreenspace.org.
www.walesonline.co.uk/.../community-wants-to-keep-its-green-spaces-91466-23552346
www.sandylane.btik.com
www.dailymail.co.uk/.../BANKS-OUT-TO-LUNCH-WHILE-OUR-PLAYING-FIELDS-ARE-EATEN-AWAY.html - Similar
www.plymouthcs.play-cricket.com/home/home.asp