Annan residents to become guardians of field

ANNAN residents are to become unofficial custodians of community playing fields near their homes.
A group of Seaforth householders will be handed the keys to gates at the John Bell Community Playing Fields by Dumfries and Galloway Council on a six month trial period.
They will effectively become its guardians and, if all goes smoothly, council chiefs will likely extend the agreement.
This action step was agreed at Annan Common Good Fun sub committee last week after it was reported that vandals had been causing damage at the location.
The John Bell Playing Fields is used as a public park and playing field, having been gifted to the Royal Burgh of Annan in 1951 by John Hart Bell.
The area is also used occasionally throughout the year by visitor attractions such as fairgrounds and circuses.
A section of the grounds also provide car parking spaces for parents accessing Hecklegirth Primary and Annan Academy during term times for dropping off and picking up children.
Residents recently met with Dumfries and Galloway councillors and council officers to help make the site more secure.
Annandale South Councillor Sean Marshall said: “The meeting that was held with residents was very productive, and obviously there were a lot of concerns.”
Locals will now be handed the gate keys and will take responsibility for locking up at night to protect the playing fields.
Jaime Nicholson, council ward officer for Annandale South, said: “We’ve had numerous meetings with the residents of the Seaforth area, and I think that we have a solution with regards to the locking of the gates.
“I’m pleased to say that under the volunteering strategy we believe that the residents wish to become formal of Dumfries and Galloway Council. That would give them a degree of insurance cover, both public liability and employee liability.
“I’ve spoken with our assets team, who are the lead for that area, and they are comfortable doing a risk assessment of that area. Providing nothing substantial or alarming is raised during that risk assessment and members of the public who are keen to assist and sign the volunteers’ agreement, then we believe this would be a way forward.
“We’ve introduced a six month trial period and we’ll support the volunteers throughout that period.”