Who owns the Playing Fields?
The Backwell Playing Fields are officially registered with HM Land Registry as belonging to Backwell Playing Fields Charity, whose charitable aim is to provide for the recreation of the parishioners of Backwell.
Who pays for the Playing Fields?
Backwell Playing Fields Charity receives rent from its tenants i.e. the clubs and organisations that are based on the Playing Fields. These funds, along with discretionary grant funding from Backwell Parish Council, are put towards the running costs and maintenance of the Playing Fields.
What is my donation spent on?
Your donations contribute both to the ongoing upkeep and the improvement of the Fields. We are also constantly striving to develop the fields with new strategic initiatives to benefit the residents of Backwell, and any surplus funds will be used to implement these strategic initiatives.
How can I help?
The Backwell Playing Fields is a precious and valuable local space available to enjoy for all the public. We ask everyone to respect other users of the field and always clean up after themselves and their pets. There are rubbish and recycling bins located throughout the Fields which are regularly emptied.
From time to time we run volunteer days that are publicised on social media and in the Village Magazine.
If you are time poor but still want to help then donations are immensely valuable and gratefully received. Donations can be in the form of regular payments or one-off. If you wish for your donation to go towards a specific project then please get in touch here.
Who runs Backwell Playing Fields Charity?
The Charity is managed by a group of local volunteer Trustee Directors, click here for details. On a day to day basis the playing fields are run and maintained by an Administrator and a Maintenance Manager, both of whom work part-time.
Is there parking?
There is free parking by the tennis courts and the Ashton and Backwell football club entrance, both accessed from the A370. Free parking can also be accessed from Rodney Road (located by Rainbows Pre-school, and the Judo and Junior Football Clubs) but is serviced by a gate that‘s locked when the pre-school and clubs are closed.
How can I contact you?
You can contact us on backwellplayingfieldscharity@gmail.com or fill in our contact form here.
Are there toilets?
There are not currently any public toilets available. Please contact the individual clubs that operate on the Backwell Playing Fields to find out about the facilities they have available.
What’s happening to the old toilet block by the main road?
We don’t yet have any plans to develop the old toilet block, which has been out of use now for many years. The cost to remove it is prohibitive but if you have any ideas you’re welcome to send them to us!
Can I use the Playing Fields for a birthday party?
You are very welcome to host parties on the Backwell Playing Fields but please remember these are public spaces that are open for all the public to use and we would ask you to clean up after yourselves, including taking home any large amounts of rubbish and recycling. If you are interested in hiring any of the tenanted spaces exclusively, we recommend you contact the relevant Club to discuss your requirements. A list of our tenants and links to their relevant websites can be found here.
Can I put a marquee up?
Please contact us on backwellplayingfieldscharity@gmail.com to request permission. We don’t usually refuse but do need marquees to be taken down the same day.
Can I use a BBQ at the playing fields?
We discourage BBQs for obvious safety reasons and for the damage they can cause to the grass.
How are the fields kept so clean and tidy?
The Backwell Playing Fields are maintained by a team of individuals who regularly empty the rubbish and recycling bins as well as identifying and reporting any issues to the Charity’s Administrator on a regular basis.
Who do I report a problem to?
Please contact us on backwellplayingfieldscharity@gmail.com, including photos if possible, or fill in our contact form here. We will respond within 5 working days, usually sooner.