The Embankment Astroturf Hockey Pitch (also used for the minority sport of Football!)

[n j titman]

Mein Gott!!!

Although I fully appreciate that Peterborough City Council's preferred quango, "Vivacity" are very poor, and know more about the needs of Small Sided Football than I could ever possibly learn, last evening at the sole Council Astroturf facility in this small village of Peterborough, I arrived as usual, 30 mins before start time, to check out goals, nets, etc, only to find the most religious nets in the UK (holier than thou!), and one goal with no net!.

I report that I will not be starting on the near pitch until a goal net is secured, only to be told "well you will have to referee on the far pitch". Flabberghasted I do so. Speaking to players pre start I am told there has been no goal net for days as it was stolen!!

The penalty box linings are designed for those who have not been to Specsavers, and Master Windle, and subsequently, his Teams,are charged for Pitch Hire at the full rate.

Say no more!!

[Harbs]

Not a lot changes in that respect Nic,
It has been the same for many years.
Its always been that hockey takes priority and as long as the Hockjey facilities are all in place then there is no need
to kick up a fuss!
Its a shame because I would imagine the amount of money put in their pockets from the football players in the city adds up to a fair few pennies! Look how long it took to relay the turf when people were turning their ankles every week on 1/2 foot gaps and rips!

[Glasgow Rangers Champions]

In fairness lads i agree the PCC needs to do more, however i think you need to have a much closer look at the Police, many times we get alot of people of all nationality's break intop the astro turf and play footy on it, numerous times i myself have went down and told them to clear off or the police will be called, greeted with lots of verbals and threats the police get called. By the time they even respond its hours later and the perpatraitors have vanished, and no doubt at some point recently they decided to take the nets with them. So where does the blame lie, oh and get this some of the lads that break in i have also seen playing down rob windle.. Now thats ironic.....

[Harbs]

irony

1. The use of words to express something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning.
2. An expression or utterance marked by a deliberate contrast between apparent and intended meaning.
3. A literary style employing such contrasts for humorous or rhetorical effect.
4. Incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs
5. An occurrence, result, or circumstance notable for such incongruity.

[Admin]

Harley, police budgets slashed by up to 20%, give them a break. I'd sooner see a copper attending an RTC or busting a dealer. Crimes are prioritised and if you think about it, trespass (especially one where they are having a kickabout which is fairly constructive) is pretty low ranking.

As for who is to blame? PCC should have better security down there. Maybe some razor wire at the top and then they wouldn't have to keep investing in repairs. Either that or some decent CCTV. It doesn't cost the world anymore.

[Glasgow Rangers Champions]

Raph, its against the law to put anykind of fencing up that may cause harm with intent, as for the cctv yes i agree that may be a proposal however who would we complain to??? as you just pointed out that the police have better things to do Oh and im glad you think our staffs safety is not a priority :O

[Ross]

I'm struggling to see where Raph said that staffs safety wasn't a priority. Are you sure it's illegal to put razor wire etc round the fencing? Reason I ask is, every single greenfield (mobile base station)site I go to, they all have spiked fences or razor wire round the edge.

[Admin]

I suppose they'd still cut through the wire fence lower down. Put a moat around the pitch! Haha.

Maybe you should speak with your local neighbourhood policing team or PCSO Harley? If you look on the police website you will find your local contact and they will be a better port of call rather than the response officers (999) who are best utilised in an emergency.

That way you can liaise with them to provide more regular patrols and you will also be able to call them directly if you need someone moving on?

Just a thought.

[Harbs]

I like it Raph, nice and constructive.

[Glasgow Rangers Champions]

Cant argue with that idea Raph, ill put it to them at work and see what the response is.....

Ross note my 1st comment i say " many times we get alot of people of all nationality's break intop the astro turf and play footy on it, numerous times i myself have went down and told them to clear off or the police will be called, greeted with lots of verbals and threats the police get called. By the time they even respond its hours later and the perpatraitors have vanishe"

Raph responds with "
Harley, police budgets slashed by up to 20%, give them a break. I'd sooner see a copper attending an RTC or busting a dealer. Crimes are prioritised and if you think about it, trespass (especially one where they are having a kickabout which is fairly constructive) is pretty low ranking."


Now do you see or do i need to spell it out for you even more! Raph quite clearly states that its pretty low ranking on the priority ladder!

[Admin]

Well if you speak to them like you did in their post, they probably can't understand what you are talking about and think you're being offensive!

If you are being threatened, that isn't nice. However, they haven't actually been physical with you, so man up!

[Glasgow Rangers Champions]

haha Raph tell ya what next time 20 lads are playing footy down there rather than man up ill call you to come down and force them all off on yer own... after all yer super hard

[Admin]

I'll come down and hold your hand brother

[Glasgow Rangers Champions]

lol that wont make us look very manly if we are holding hands!

[Admin]

I think Louis Spence could handle himself okay in a brawl.