Opening up local school playing fields for exercise

[redjam]

Fair enough, though I'm sure there are more practical ways you could help NHS staff (volunteering? fundraising?) rather than getting so worked up about someone sitting in the sun.

But you're right of course about the child on the bike - and if I'd seen his parents I'd have said something along those lines (even though privately I can't see how a kid's bike would permanently damage the grass - but rules are rules). It would be a real shame if Alleyn's close the field because of the occasional misuse. I hope they will realise that the vast majority are using the space sensibly and that it's a real boon to the area.

[lyndhurst]

People not getting some respite from being cooped up inside is not going get NHS or care home staff more PPE, nor will it increase our testing. The idea that because some people are suffering everyone ought to be miserable is absurd - try explaining that to a child who has been locked up for 6 weeks. I work on the covid response and pop out for walk at lunch time, I don't resent anyone who is enjoying the good weather.

[KidKruger]

Where in the UK has a child been locked up for 6 weeks ?

(barring detention centres obvs)

[malumbu]

Cooped up rather than locked up I expect. Although we are in a lock down not a coop down. Aren't most of us going a bit stir crazy?

[KidKruger]

Yeah I know, my point was no-one has been in for 6weeks, especially kids.

[Cyclemonkey]

Lyndhurst I agree. I am very busy doing difficult and emotionally stressful work related to the current situation. I get out for exercise everyday when I can, I absolutely do not resent anyone enjoying themselves within the guidelines.

[redjam]

Lyndhurst, that's exactly how I feel too. There seems to be this mentality that because bad things are happening then anyone seen doing anything as frivolous as playing outside with their kids or catching a few rays is laughing in the face of the pandemic. Yet as long as people are keeping an appropriate social distance and keeping within the rules then I don't see the harm of it.

Exercise is one thing we can all be doing to improve our chances (and lessen the burden on the NHS) if we get ill. Ditto getting enough vitamin D. Kids need to let off steam otherwise they will become miserable and unhealthy. When I look at those playing fields and see lots of families doing all those things, I think we should be pleased that the space is being put to good use, not carping that some people are daring to look happy.

We've got months of this to come. We can't sit around at home rending our clothes and weeping for the next year. It doesn't help anyone who is ill.

[Jakido]

-- moved topic --

[seenbeen]

redjam Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Fair enough, though I'm sure there are more

> practical ways you could help NHS staff

> (volunteering? fundraising?) rather than getting

> so worked up about someone sitting in the sun.

>

> But you're right of course about the child on the

> bike - and if I'd seen his parents I'd have said

> something along those lines (even though privately

> I can't see how a kid's bike would permanently

> damage the grass - but rules are rules). It would

> be a real shame if Alleyn's close the field

> because of the occasional misuse. I hope they will

> realise that the vast majority are using the space

> sensibly and that it's a real boon to the area.

It is not occasional- every day that I went there there were at least 3, and up to 7, at one time- football games- including adults using the football nets there. The ball was being kicked so that it goes near other people and social distancing was not always being used on retrieval of the ball.

And as I said before- if we all stick to 1 hour of exercise per day outside then there will be quality space for everyone.

And as for children being cooped up- remember- they would have been in school cooped up in the main...

[ed_pete]

Pretty disgusted when I went for a walk around these fields this morning. Rubbish, not masses but plastic bottles, waste paper and Gail's coffee cups. Honestly, people know better don't they?

[seenbeen]

ed_pete Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Pretty disgusted when I went for a walk around

> these fields this morning. Rubbish, not masses but

> plastic bottles, waste paper and Gail's coffee

> cups. Honestly, people know better don't they?

If you read some of the comments about Alleyns' and private schools on this forum you will understand the mentality of some residents in the area towards the public schools.

[Glemham]

A month on from this message and there is still litter on the field much of it left behind by the groups who gather on the field after it has closed to meet and drink the night away disturbing residents who are mostly still observing the distancing rules. But litter is not all they and people who congregate during the day to play football in large groups or meet friends for a picnic leave behind. Residents have had to contend with visitors urinating against their fences, and have been clearing up excrement. Despite a notice asking people not to bring their dogs or ride their bikes as this is a playing field - the clue being in the title - it seems as with Dominic Cummings, there?s one rule for most of us and another for those who firmly believe it doesn?t apply to them.

[seenbeen]

I stopped going there a couple of weeks ago even though it is my nearest open space for exercise for the very reasons that Glemham has stated above. Added to that the number of vehicles that park outside the school and playing field and unload their children, sports equipment and picnic paraphernalia has now forced us, as fairly elderly, to drive to another location thereby putting pressure on their resources.

There was even graffiti done on the bench by the memorial gardens....no respect, no manners. But given the state that the beaches and 'beauty' spots have been left in around the country, it is no surprise.