Bradpole’s Recreation Areas

Schedule of LAND ASSETS May 2020

There are a number of Council owned Open Green Spaces within Bradpole Ward. The responsibility for their management, transferred to Bridport Town Council on 1st April 2024. The protection offered by Fields in Trust, and detailed below, transferred to Bridport Town Council at that time.

Any Group wishing to use the Recreation areas should contact the Council to check availability & conditions of use.

Play Area safety inspection reports are undertaken quarterly.

Other Green Spaces such as that bordering the River Asker through “Happy Island” are in private ownership.

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The 2011 Bradpole Parish Plan highlighted the importance of safeguarding the existing Open Spaces and putting them to better use for the benefit of the Community whilst taking into account the concerns of the immediate neighbours.

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The upgraded fitness trail at Gore Cross Rec Oct 2023

During 2022 improvements to facilities at the recreation areas at Bradpole’s Gore Cross Green and Pageants Play area were commissioned being paid for from accrued reserves, infrastructure levies and contributions from local businesses.

Further “Wheelchair Friendly” enhancements were made in 2023 and are continuing into 2024.

Whilst the Council has funds available, received from Council Taxes, for both the basic management of our Green Spaces and the replacement of Play equipment these funds are limited.

The formation of Community groups is supported and those properly constituted groups can access funding sources that are not normally available to councils to enhance and improve community facilities.

See the separate reports on the various Community areas hereunder.

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Gore Cross Recreation Area

Gore Cross Recreation Area is a 2 acre (0.79h.a.) relatively level field which requires regular maintenance.

In November 2016 Bradpole Parish Councillors executed a Deed of Dedication with “Fields in Trust”  to protect “Gore Cross Green” in perpetuity for the benefit of residents. This Deed is registered at HM Land Registry thus completing the protection process.

  • A new fitness trail was installed in 2022. A Wheelchair friendly piece of equipment was added in October 2023. The fitness equipment is subject to a quarterly health and safety check carried out by an independent assessor.

    alt="photo of wheelchair friendly access to the Fitness Trail at Gore Cross Rec."
    Wheelchair friendly access to the Gore Cross Rec Fitness Trail”
  • Wheelchair friendly access improvements were made in 2023 and continue into 2024.
  • Additional picnic tables/benches were installed in line with suggestions put forward by several local residents in the Parish Plan.
  • Goal posts have been installed to facilitate up to 9-a-side matches, particularly for our younger residents, and have been used by local under-11 mixed teams.
  • Where diseased trees are felled these are replaced on a minimum one for one basis.
  • The grass is mown frequently in the growing season to keep the recreation area in good order.
  • Other areas are managed for the benefit of wildlife by a team of volunteers.

PLEASE REMEMBER ALL PERSONS USING THE FIELD DO SO AT THEIR OWN RISK

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Pageants Field and Play Area

Pageants Close recreation field and play area is a smaller green space (0.33h.a.) on sloping land. It includes a Children’s play area.

In 2017 Bradpole Councillors decided to apply for the same protection with “Fields In Trust” that was achieved at Gore Cross Green in that year.

The Deed of Dedication was registered at the Land Registry in May 2018 under title DT420393. 

The playground area is subject to a quarterly health and safety check carried out by an independent assessor.

COVID-19 Please follow the COVID-CAUTION GUIDELINES when using the Play Area

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The new swings and safety surface at Pageants Play Area Nov. 2022

A plantation of small native trees was undertaken in 2024 by the “Get Bradpole Buzzing” volunteers and will be known as “The King’s Copse”. A KC111 Coronation Memorial Bench will also be installed.

Improvements to access for wheelchair users were made in 2023 and are continuing into 2024.

alt="a drawing of a badger"There is an extensive badgers’ sett on the SW perimeter. Badgers are a protected species their habitat cannot be disturbed.

Check out this RSPCA site for more information:

https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/wildlife/inthewild/badgers/law

CAUTION take care on the field surface as the badgers can cause it to become uneven in places.

There is a basic set of rules for the use of the Field & Play Area for the benefit of all users see:- Pageant’s Field Rules

PLEASE REMEMBER ALL PERSONS USING THE FIELD DO SO AT THEIR OWN RISK

In May 2020 Pageants Field was designated under the adopted Bridport Area Neighbourhood Plan as a Green Space.

For  more details please CONTACT US

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Railway Gardens, Caley Way

alt="Railway Gardens memorial benches & notice board"
Railway Gardens a tranquil corner of Bradpole Village

A pleasant small amenity area next to an old railway crossing designated as a “Green Space” in Policy L3 of the 2020 Bridport Area Neighbourhood Plan.

You will find there seating, including a “Happy to Chat” bench, and a Council Notice Board.

In 2016 Councillors undertook a review of the planting on this site. Here is a summary of the report:

Railway Gardens Review 2016 (Summary)

The “Getting Bradpole Buzzing” volunteers manage the wildflower borders.alt="decorative"

In 2023 a Bradpole Parish Council project enabled the replacement of the historic Railway Crossing Gate which had become dilapidated to be undertaken thus creating a legacy for Bradpole Parish Council with this local landmark being preserved for the benefit of future generations. The gate was manufactured by local firm Aacorn Joinery.

In association with this an interpretation board was installed in 2024 providing a historical insight into the Great Western Railway (GWR) Maiden Newton to Bridport and West Bay Branch Line which passed through Bradpole until 1975.

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Adjacent to “Railway Gardens” are the Council allotments, for more about these go to the: Bradpole’s Allotments page.

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The Gore

alt="the Gore wildlife corridor"A pleasant and  green walkway and wildlife corridor which passes through a residential area in the village and connects to Dorset Council owned land.

The Gore is designated as a “Green Space” in Policy L3 of the 2020 Bridport Area Neighbourhood Plan.

Much of the hedging along the footpath is laid, an old technique of hedge management. This has enabled management to be both easier and less costly but there remains a requirement for regular monitoring by our arboriculture advisers who advise when maintenance pruning should be undertaken.

BPC Tree Policy 2018

& Townsend Way

The Council owns a strip of land on the north side of Townsend Way which is being managed in an ecologically friendly manner by volunteers from the “Getting Bradpole Buzzing” group.

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This provides a Green border opposite the protected Gore Cross Green.

In 2014 Japanese Knotweed was found to be growing on part of this plot and an eradication programme was put in place.

Japanese Knotweed (JKW) – Townsend Way 2014 Programme of Eradication

The progress of this programme is monitored regularly and whilst the Council will avoid using toxic Pesticides/Herbicides wherever possible this is one local area where, until an efficient alternative is found, these products are used under strict guidance from the Natural Environment Team, Dorset Council.

For the benefit of all please keep help to keep our public spaces clean and tidy.

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Dog Fouling Problems

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The problem of dog fouling which was highlighted as a major concern in the Parish Plan unfortunately continues. However the situation is improving as most owners understand the need to be responsible for their pets and to the community. The majority of dog owners are responsible people and clear up any mess, we are grateful to them for the care they take.

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There remains a minority of inconsiderate dog owners who do not act responsibly.

IT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE NOT TO CLEAR UP AFTER YOUR DOG.

The Dorset Council website has a page for reporting dog fouling and there is a Dog Warden who may follow-up these reports.

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