“The Olympics involvement will act as a catalyst to push forward the investment package for Hackney Marshes”
are expected to include ten new football pitches. Improvements also cover the more technical elements of pitch regeneration, and Hackney Council is understood to be expecting a report from a sportsturf agronomist laying out recommendations that include reseeding playing surfaces with more rugged, harder-wearing grass species adapted to withstand the more intensive use planned. Other matters to address include updating drainage systems, with hopes to redevelop the current system to a more efficient drainage method that will be practical in the wet winter months and, more importantly, encourage even more community use to “bring the Marshes back to life, back to where they were 20 years ago”, according to Nicholson. He views the proposed new facilities as
a real opportunity to expand the use of the Marshes, which, he says, are currently only being used to around 50% of their capacity, “and that mostly at the weekend for predominantly men’s football”. Using the area for a more diverse range of activities as well as sport, is his mission. “I want to see people coming to the Marshes not just to play football, but to just walk or to sit with a picnic when it’s sunny. Currently, we have a very specific, predominant, market - football. We have a perfect opportunity now to improve the profile of the Marshes for all sorts of activities, and improve its use by women
What are you like?
Tim Barber, Head Groundsman at Bedales School - expectant father - do it yourself, no one else will!
Who are you? Tim Barber, Head Groundsman at Bedales School in Steep, Hampshire.
Status? Engaged to Ellie. Our first child is due in September.
Who is your hero and why? Probably the guy behind the scenes not getting any thanks. (So, most groundsmen!)
What is your dream holiday? Trip to the Himalayas.
What annoys you the most? Only doing half a job.
What would you change about yourself? I’d be more organised.
Who wouldn’t you like to be? Anyone who has to make life and death decisions.
Favourite record, and why? Division Bell by Pink Floyd. It’s just a fantastic album.
Who would you choose to spend a romantic evening with? My fiancée Ellie.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? Double check, just to make sure!
If you were to describe yourself as a musical instrument, what would you be? I would be a whole orchestra; sounds odd individually but, all together, carries a tune.
What is the best advice you have ever been given? Do it yourself, no one else will.
What’s your favourite smell? Freshly cut grass.
What three words would you use to describe yourself? Funny, laid back.
What talent would you like to have? To speak a foreign language.
What makes you angry? Not much, I’m pretty easy going!
What law/legislation would you like to see introduced? Tougher sentencing. Life means life.
and the disabled.” As well as funding from football affiliated bodies, there are also hopes from the council to seek support from the London Marathon Trust as well as rugby and cricket organisations. His comments before the planning consent sent out a clear message about what needed to be done to raise standards of facilities. “If we seriously want to see improvements in participation, the changing and sports facilities need to be brought into the 21st century.” It now appears as though he has his wish.
Between now and the rejuvenation of Hackney Marshes by 2013 lies the world’s biggest sporting activity, one in which Hackney Borough Council is strategically positioned.
Certainly the LDA appears to be in no doubt about the assurances on the Marshes future; a spokeswoman commenting: “The whole masterplan process gives guarantees for the restoration of pitches. That we will be restoring the area to its original make-up is seen as hugely positive and it will be done with care and consideration.” The legacy of the 2012 London Games should ensure that the proving ground for so many of our sporting stars returns refreshed and more strongly positioned than ever to provide a key community sports and leisure provision long into the future.
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