Last Thursday a tent appears in the corner of the field about which the Clerk knows nothing who alerted turns up very quickly to ask and it would appear someone forgot to say.
No harm done apparently but then an e mail arrives not professing an apology , just a statement saying we forgot to tell you we were doing this.
A fuss about nothing , well you decide
No notice given ( what would have happened if the Grass needed to be cut )
No apology
The school let the car and trailer tent into the field with a key for the padlock to the field they have for emergencies ( Not their field remember)
Complaints are received post event that several bits of rabbit skin and bones have been left on the field which dogs with their walkers have found.
The grass where they had a burner of some sort has burnt and scorched the grass
The ashes form the fire have been tipped into the hedge by the field and not removed
This was not handled well and whilst we all support a variety of activities for the children, at £12 a head incidentally, we do expect the organisers to let the field owners know and clear up after themselves properly and not damage the field in the process. Just imagine someone letting themselves into your locked garden , damaging it and then walking away. A very caveman attitude
What a cheek and really inconsiderate! Those at the school organising and sub-letting this field without permission need to remember the village recreation ground is for the residents of Spooner Row, the school is allowed to use it for normal school use. I think it is only fair that those organising the event must kindly reimburse the parish council for hiring it out and repair the damage caused and clear up their mess? Why should residents and dog walkers clear up after the school? The padlock key is for emergency access to the field and any private hire needs to go through the proper channels first.
Yes, the playing field needs more community use rather than become obsolete and built on. I am all for more positive use so long as people are considerate towards others, which should go without saying.
What a simply wonderful experience for the children, the school clearly is adding a richness of experience to the childrens curriculum. I wish I had had these sorts of experience when I was at school I am only saddened that someone created this negative blog for such a fantastic learning opportunity. It would be wonderful if we could celebrate such experiences
What a simply wonderful experience for the children, the school clearly is adding a richness of experience to the childrens curriculum. I wish I had had these sorts of experience when I was at school I am only saddened that someone created this negative blog for such a fantastic learning opportunity. It would be wonderful if we could celebrate such experiences
It is a wonderful experience and one that we all celebrate, but I think you are missing the point. I am saddened by the behavior of the school, not by the fact this blog was created. Let's hope that the future enjoyment of the field is more positive and considerate towards ALL users of this precious resource.
My point , which seems to have been quietly ignored is that the Field was used without permission being obtained and by persons who let themselves in with a key held at the school for emergencies ONLY.
The field was damaged and organic rubbish was left behind which if a dog had eaten and damaged themselves on, might have resulted in the owners looking to see who was going to assist with the vet's bill, and did the cavemen have the requisite insurance?
The final act, which to my mind tipped the balance was an after the fact e mail advising that we forgot to tell you we were doing this. There was not a hint of an apology and whilst the field is used and paid for at a very paltry peppercorn rent by the school my point was and still is it that this was not handled well from start to finish.
An e mail saying sorry we forgot to ask and we will make sure that this does not happen again and ensure the organisers clear up after themselves properly in future would have been good. Job done and no negative post.
As I said quite openly, I believe that the use of the field by ALL in a sensible and reponsible way is the right and proper way to go. Assumptions should not be made that it can be used at will by all and sundry for all activities because that is a very slippery slope to go down and there are practical issues in place here such as grass cutting, weed killing and the rights of dogwalkers and children who use the play equipment, to consider as well.
Sorry if that ruffles some feathers but point has been made twice now so I will not be making any further comments.
Dear Mr Halls, if you would like to pop into school to discuss this matter, I will happily show you a copy of the emails sent to Wymondham Town Council apologising for a simple mix up in seeking permission for this event, which incidentally,was an incredibly rich learning experience for the children of Spooner Row Primary School. I am sure that the children would love to tell about their wonderful day and how much it has enhanced their understanding. The school is, as you are aware, a huge part of the village community. What an absolute shame you didn’t think this the best course of action in the first place.
Education is a gift and children are the life blood and future of our village. The children show compassion to each other, appreciation to their elders, a love of learning and this has been nurtured by a wonderful school. I agree with earlier comments that it is sad that people want to generate negativity towards such a wonderful event. I think some deep reflection by the contributors of the original and subsequent negative comments is required. It would be wonderful if we could all generate more positivity and appreciation of the work of such fantastic professionals - we are all human, we sometimes make mistakes - work with people to make it better next time rather than public shaming tiny mistakes on a website. Compassion and understanding is the least we all deserve.
I think you are deflecting from the points Julian Halls made (which I agree with) is that the key was given without permission to a third party, and following on from that a lack of respect to other users of the recreation ground by the mess and damage left. Please let's not turn this into having "a go" at someone in the village because they happen to speak up about several well-founded concerns. No one is shaming or criticising the professionalism of the school, it is about acting responsibly and showing others some respect.
The school may well be considered a part of the village but I would query that it is a "huge part". My main dealings with the school as a resident, are the inconsiderate parking of some parents often followed by a rude attitude if we say something! That is not a positive experience!
As you are a member of the town council, I am saddened that you feel this is an appropriate approach to resolving this situation. You have used a public forum to criticise a local school which is not a professional or dignified way to resolve whatever misunderstanding took place. It would be a better use of your position to look at how the school could be supported in providing opportunities such as this more frequently by reviewing how they could have more permanent and structured access to such a large open space. Whilst your strong words about the risks to dogs being walked or possible disruption to grass mowing schedules are worth consideration, I'd rather have a representative championing a local school and campaigning for adequate green field space for the children in that school to benefit from.
I would like to add that the large open space is not owned by the school but a public space for all residents of the village to enjoy. The previous comment to Mr Halls is very rude and serves no positive function. Mr Halls does an excellent job at speaking up for this community. The current access to the field, put there by WTC is quite adequate thanks.
I think the issue that’s most obvious from this is giving the school a key, personally I have a lot of dealings with teachers and for the most part they are ...(edited).... I think once you have put up with a class of infants everything else seems to pale into insignificance.
-- Edited by webstation on Wednesday 23rd of May 2018 09:33:30 PM
