Action over pitch

ACTION is needed to get rid of a 20 metre "cabbage patch" in the middle of a football pitch at the Victoria Ground in Uckfield, town councillors were told on Tuesday.

Cllr Richard Pilling told members of the facilities committee recent work had improved 90 per cent of the pitch but the cabbage patch hadn t been touched and he feared it was just going to get worse until it was unplayable.

Clerk Mr Ashley Serpis said the area was avoided because it was so bad it was feared the tractor going over it would do more damage.

Cllr Pilling raised the matter during a discussion about the facilities committee s budget figures. A working party which met to find ways of cutting the council s spending plans for next year had suggested 6,500 for remedial works (gravel banding) to the Victoria football pitch be deleted from the budget.

Mayor Cllr Barrie Murray echoed Cllr Pillings concern. He said that within two years the pitch had gone from being one of the best in Sussex to one of the worst. "At this moment in time 90 per cent of it is brilliant and ten per cent is cabbage patch."

Cllr Pilling said routine maintenance would not solve the problem. Clay needed digging out and shingle put in to drain the area. He suggested the council s own workmen with help from the football club could do the job then the only money needed would be for the shingle.

It was agreed to investigate that possibility.