The following report on the public meeting held on 8th September 2009 at Holy Trinity Church Combe Down about the Firs Field 'land swap' proposal was prepared by RFOTR members Richard Wright and Peter Downey who participated in the meeting:

"Just under 100 people were present at he Church. to hear Chairman Dr Andrew Smith, open the meeting and outline where the negotiations had progressed.

He outlined the funding, representation on the Rec Trust if the proposed Land Swap went through. Seated at the Crypt together with Andrew were the Friends of Firs Field (FOFF) Committee including Councillor Cherry Beath who is one of the B&NES Councillors representing Combe Down.

BREAKTHROUGH!! - MORE CRICKET AT THE REC

Somerset County Cricket and Schools on the Rec in 2010!

Somerset County Cricket has paid for a Cricket pitch to be laid between the East Stand and the Rugby Touch Line!

The plan is for a 20-20 match by Somerset CCC on the NEW PITCH next season. Plus a Schools B&NES tournament with the Final on the new pitch next summer. The following year will, if the trial goes well, be followed by more Somerset CCC 20-20's, a Regional Schools Competition plus an International Schools Festival as was organised twice in the 90's by the Bath Schools Cricket Foundation.

 This all followed the efforts of Michael Davis, Chairman of Somerset Cricket NE committee (the body who undertake the 1-day cricket on the Rec each year) and Peter Downey (Chairman of RFOTR) who recently visited Lords at the behest of the Recreation Ground Trust (RGT). The purpose of the visit was to investigate the possibility of portable cricket pitches to enable the Rugby Club's Rec facilities to be fully used by Somerset and other cricket events in the future. The verdict on the "drop in" pitch was unlikely at best.

Somerset County Cricket, and the Recreation Ground Trust however have pursued the idea of more Cricket on the Rec using the Rugby facilities which has the agreement of the Rugby Club. The Result?

Somerset County Cricket Club have agreed to build and fund a wicket which will enable 20/20 cricket to come to the Rec in 2010 for the first time. This opens the way for further exciting cricket ventures and the RGT have asked the RFOTR to help with the promotion and organisation of a schools cricket festival next summer. We are going to need help!

This strongly supports one of the objectives of the RFOTR, namely  "All Sports for All People" on the Rec. The events would be scheduled for late June/early July 2010 with a Somerset CCC 20/20 match and the final of a B&NES youth tournament. It is hoped that the following year a full International Schools Festival would be held as well with the Final on the Rec.

A very exciting project! Full and real use of the Rec!

FIRS FIELD "LAND SWAP" PROPOSAL:
MEETING NEXT TUESDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER 7PM HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, COMBE DOWN.

IF you have received a survey* PLEASE read the information here and make your views known.

IF you know Combe Down residents PLEASE pass on this information to them.

Our analysis will be with you on Thursday.

*Only Official surveys are being made available by the Friends of Firs Field.