Allington MUGA
Allington Playing Field is owned and managed by Allington Parish Council. The land for the field was acquired in 1977 to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The field is used on a regular basis by Gonerby Youth Football Club which provides football for 6 – 18 year olds at a variety of locations around Grantham. The local Primary School uses the field in summer for general sporting activity and its play facilities are popular throughout the year. The play equipment is traditional and broadly caters for children in the 4-11 years age range. A recent addition to the play facilities is a Multi Use Games Area (MUGA), provided in 2008 at a cost of just under £70,000. This was funded partly by the Big Lottery with a grant, via South Kesteven District Council, of £58,000. The balance was secured through local fundraising efforts. Three porta kabins provide changing, kitchen and storage facilities. These are more than showing their age and replacement options will need to be considered soon. In addition to the porta kabins there is a brick built toilet block and a garage that dates from the days when cricket was a regular activity at the playing field.
The field is also popular for general exercise and there is a dog walking route around its perimeter. In recent years tree planting has improved the aesthetic qualities of the field and consideration is being given to an extension to provide a wooded conservation area.
Fundraising
The Allignton playing field fundraisers work throughout the year to secure funding for improvements to the playing field. The MUGA was their last major project and since then funding has accumulated to the point where it will soon be possible to consider a bid for external funding to support more improvements. The fundraising activity is built around a programme of social events including the annual Easter egg hunt, the village bonfire and Lark in the Park – a summer outdoor concert. The fundraisers also provide the village Christmas tree which creates a community focal point over the festive season.
Location
The playing field is located on Bottesford Road on the outskirts of the village.