Wife's dying wish for village could be built (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Wife's dying wish for village could be built

A CRUDWELL man is hoping to carry out his late wife's wish to create a major sports scheme in the village.

Simon Thomson, whose wife Rebecca died of cancer earlier this year, is one of several residents who form part of the Crudwell Recreation Action Group which hopes to build a range of sports fields for young people in the village.

"My wife thought the project was a good idea and expressed a wish to get involved. "I got together with a few people to try and get this started."

The committee hopes to build two tennis courts, a netball court, a basketball court and a five-a-side football pitch on land near the village hall.

"We are looking to apply to all the usual agencies for funding for the project, which will cost around £50,000," said Mr Thomson.

The committee believes that between £15,000 and £20,000 will need to be raised in the village to add to the money from grants.

A site survey has been carried out, and on-line quotes for the building work have been received. A fun run in the village is also hoped to raise funds for the project, which organisers hope will be ready for use in 2003.

The project will also be funded by a supporters subscription scheme, which will cost a family £10 a month for a year, for which people will receive free use of the facility for all sports and advance bookings.

Mr Thomson said: "Response has been very good so far. "We had a stand which explained about the project at the 24 hour bike ride last weekend, and people were very enthusiastic- we are into double figures already. "We are mainly doing this for the teenagers, who really have to travel to Malmesbury to use facilities like this, as the bus service is very limited, and the B4042 is not the safest to use, so it is with them in mind."

If you would like to find out more details about the scheme, visit www.communityzero.com/crudwell