The Bowl - the facts
SEPTEMBER 2018
We are very disappointed OBTC has taken this decision to destroy The Bowl. It could have been an asset to our community providing years of pleasure and generated income if only it had been promoted and looked after in the previous six years.
This action has caused quite a stir in the community with many opinions voiced on social media, perhaps unaware of the facts about The Bowl. We would like to tell the story.
For decades OBTC and Bolsover District Council's (BDC) lack of funding, action, or a cohesive plan for recreational and green spaces resulted in demolition of a once fine park building, derelict and declining once magnificent parks. In 2006 a small group of local people fed up with this state of affairs, no-go areas, drink and drugs den Hornscroft Park had become got together to do something about it. OBTC also had a new Town Clerk, David Kee who recognised the need for change. And in 2007/8 we and other community groups supported his successful Play & Recreation application for funding new play equipment in all five parks in the Bolsover district.
Back then the legacy and impact of pit closures was still resonant. Bolsover was designated one of the top ten deprived areas in the UK. Councils then (and now) are strapped for cash. Money had to come from funding bodies/charities and still does. This period saw the start of big improvements in all our parks and green spaces which we all now rightly expect and see to-day.
Apply for funding
OBTC’s Play & Recreation funding application excluded the derelict bowling green on Hornscroft park and Friends of Bolsover Parks focussed on this area to complete the park’s rejuvenation.
Local Opinion
Surveying local opinion is a stipulation of all funding bids and we were keen to cover all ages, interests and demographic. So in 2009 we surveyed local groups and clubs, schools and had a stall in town inviting opinions.
Survey Results
People referred to good experiences in other parks like Matlock, and remembered Hornscroft park in its heyday with tennis courts, bowling green club, pavilion, chess board and gardens. Survey results created a very long wish list including: fitness trail; seating, picnic area, toilets, cafe, wildlife area, outdoor classroom, gardens, flower beds, trees, paths, artwork/sculpture; music and dance; skate/bike park, water play, bowling green, tennis courts, something for teenagers, teddy bears picnic; quiet space to relax away from the play park; leave the park an open space; many regretted the decline of events at the castle and Sherwood Lodge; some wanted a baths/leisure centre on Hornscroft promised years earlier. We checked with BDC if one was on the cards, they informed us: “no, not in the foreseeable future.” (As we know a Leisure Centre is now part of BDC's new council offices Arc complex in Clowne).
Design constraints
Design ideas were influenced by these constraints: the medieval embankment (listed ancient monument) prohibited construction within 25 metres; access for all; criteria set by Lottery; criteria set by OBTC to only focus on the old bowling green, keep the privet hedge, keep rights of way paths, leave sufficient open space; no skate/bike park (rejected previously), no fitness trail, (as new parks equipment/ball park extended the play area), no car park, future sustainability, and OBTC's primary consideration - any design must keep maintenance costs low due to job and budget cuts.
Budget constraints
The design budget was influenced by these constraints: cost of installing power/water was prohibitive (so no toilets, water play); cost of a mandatory archeological survey (a potential game changer if artefacts found); cost of soil sampling; cost of planning fees and certification as BDC wouldn’t waive their fees; 20% VAT; financial conditions funding bodies placed on pre and post project delivery. All these unavoidable costs came to a substantial amount leaving the remaining balance for the project.
Attempts for funding - another round of surveys
Our first funding applications to Sport England, DCC, Heritage, various charities, Lottery, all failed. We sought advice from consultant/Lottery advisor and prepared another bid. They suggested submitting a bid to Lottery Changing Spaces fund. As time had elapsed we redid a second round of surveys. We held half day workshop in primary school, showcased plans at Assembly Rooms drop in, surveyed groups, clubs and businesses, obtained letters of intent, surveyed teenagers on the park. The design of The Bowl included aspects of Lottery recommendations and achievable ideas from both surveys. It was impossible to include the full wish list within the budget, space, OBTC’s and BDC's criteria. Our Changing Spaces bid succeeded.
Progress
OBTC were kept informed and at a council meeting agreed The Bowl plan, materials, objectives etc, with no conditions. Work began in 2012. The Bowl officially opened June 2013 with participating local primary schools who used it as part of their curriculum, art, history, nature, poetry, performance. We wanted to engage the young people as this was their future and encourage them to feel involved and proud. Each school also designed stone carvings which the stonemason integrated into the design. To enhance events opportunities OBTC agreed to install electricity in the future and maintain the site.
Decline
From 2012 to date volunteers have replaced vandalised trees, planted bulbs and flowers. OBTC have not put on any events, no electricity, infrequent grass and hedge cutting, weedkiller sprayed on paths, trees, shrubs and gardens left untended and look unkempt. How many of the wooden sleepers were unsafe we don’t know as we have no definitive report. Obviously this has not happened overnight. We are not aware of any annual inspections, maintenance or repair schedule.
Destroy
Rather than look after the investment and asset donated OBTC has taken the irreversible step and levelled the site wasting tens of thousands of pounds of donated funds, volunteer groups and businesses' donations, not to mention years of effort. What has happened to the materials? What has happened to the stone work created by school children. Was it all just buried?
We are fearful the pergolas, fruit trees and shrubs are next on the list to be levelled. We have checked they are in good condition even though they've not been maintained.
We are very disappointed OBTC has taken this decision to destroy The Bowl. It could have been an asset to our community providing years of pleasure and generated income if only it had been promoted and looked after in the previous six years.
This action has caused quite a stir in the community with many opinions voiced on social media, perhaps unaware of the facts about The Bowl. We would like to tell the story.
For decades OBTC and Bolsover District Council's (BDC) lack of funding, action, or a cohesive plan for recreational and green spaces resulted in demolition of a once fine park building, derelict and declining once magnificent parks. In 2006 a small group of local people fed up with this state of affairs, no-go areas, drink and drugs den Hornscroft Park had become got together to do something about it. OBTC also had a new Town Clerk, David Kee who recognised the need for change. And in 2007/8 we and other community groups supported his successful Play & Recreation application for funding new play equipment in all five parks in the Bolsover district.
Back then the legacy and impact of pit closures was still resonant. Bolsover was designated one of the top ten deprived areas in the UK. Councils then (and now) are strapped for cash. Money had to come from funding bodies/charities and still does. This period saw the start of big improvements in all our parks and green spaces which we all now rightly expect and see to-day.
Apply for funding
OBTC’s Play & Recreation funding application excluded the derelict bowling green on Hornscroft park and Friends of Bolsover Parks focussed on this area to complete the park’s rejuvenation.
Local Opinion
Surveying local opinion is a stipulation of all funding bids and we were keen to cover all ages, interests and demographic. So in 2009 we surveyed local groups and clubs, schools and had a stall in town inviting opinions.
Survey Results
People referred to good experiences in other parks like Matlock, and remembered Hornscroft park in its heyday with tennis courts, bowling green club, pavilion, chess board and gardens. Survey results created a very long wish list including: fitness trail; seating, picnic area, toilets, cafe, wildlife area, outdoor classroom, gardens, flower beds, trees, paths, artwork/sculpture; music and dance; skate/bike park, water play, bowling green, tennis courts, something for teenagers, teddy bears picnic; quiet space to relax away from the play park; leave the park an open space; many regretted the decline of events at the castle and Sherwood Lodge; some wanted a baths/leisure centre on Hornscroft promised years earlier. We checked with BDC if one was on the cards, they informed us: “no, not in the foreseeable future.” (As we know a Leisure Centre is now part of BDC's new council offices Arc complex in Clowne).
Design constraints
Design ideas were influenced by these constraints: the medieval embankment (listed ancient monument) prohibited construction within 25 metres; access for all; criteria set by Lottery; criteria set by OBTC to only focus on the old bowling green, keep the privet hedge, keep rights of way paths, leave sufficient open space; no skate/bike park (rejected previously), no fitness trail, (as new parks equipment/ball park extended the play area), no car park, future sustainability, and OBTC's primary consideration - any design must keep maintenance costs low due to job and budget cuts.
Budget constraints
The design budget was influenced by these constraints: cost of installing power/water was prohibitive (so no toilets, water play); cost of a mandatory archeological survey (a potential game changer if artefacts found); cost of soil sampling; cost of planning fees and certification as BDC wouldn’t waive their fees; 20% VAT; financial conditions funding bodies placed on pre and post project delivery. All these unavoidable costs came to a substantial amount leaving the remaining balance for the project.
Attempts for funding - another round of surveys
Our first funding applications to Sport England, DCC, Heritage, various charities, Lottery, all failed. We sought advice from consultant/Lottery advisor and prepared another bid. They suggested submitting a bid to Lottery Changing Spaces fund. As time had elapsed we redid a second round of surveys. We held half day workshop in primary school, showcased plans at Assembly Rooms drop in, surveyed groups, clubs and businesses, obtained letters of intent, surveyed teenagers on the park. The design of The Bowl included aspects of Lottery recommendations and achievable ideas from both surveys. It was impossible to include the full wish list within the budget, space, OBTC’s and BDC's criteria. Our Changing Spaces bid succeeded.
Progress
OBTC were kept informed and at a council meeting agreed The Bowl plan, materials, objectives etc, with no conditions. Work began in 2012. The Bowl officially opened June 2013 with participating local primary schools who used it as part of their curriculum, art, history, nature, poetry, performance. We wanted to engage the young people as this was their future and encourage them to feel involved and proud. Each school also designed stone carvings which the stonemason integrated into the design. To enhance events opportunities OBTC agreed to install electricity in the future and maintain the site.
Decline
From 2012 to date volunteers have replaced vandalised trees, planted bulbs and flowers. OBTC have not put on any events, no electricity, infrequent grass and hedge cutting, weedkiller sprayed on paths, trees, shrubs and gardens left untended and look unkempt. How many of the wooden sleepers were unsafe we don’t know as we have no definitive report. Obviously this has not happened overnight. We are not aware of any annual inspections, maintenance or repair schedule.
Destroy
Rather than look after the investment and asset donated OBTC has taken the irreversible step and levelled the site wasting tens of thousands of pounds of donated funds, volunteer groups and businesses' donations, not to mention years of effort. What has happened to the materials? What has happened to the stone work created by school children. Was it all just buried?
We are fearful the pergolas, fruit trees and shrubs are next on the list to be levelled. We have checked they are in good condition even though they've not been maintained.