NATIONAL TRUST NOT TO BE TRUSTED

We are all looking for more pitches to play on, especially on once pristine local school pitches or parks, but these are shrinking rapidly as local council finances dwindle.

In Shugborough, Staffordshire there is an issue. The Shugborough Estate is now owned by the National Trust administering over 900 acres of Grade 1 19th Century Historic Listed Landscape.
This is not the clubhouse.


Previously owned by the Earl of Lichfield, the Staffs County Council now controls the 49 year old lease for the sports grounds that runs out by the end of October. Andy Beer is the NT spokesman who says that the hire of pitches does not make enough money and he is determined to re-use the ground with a greater financial return. the two clubs have to make way.

The Great Haywood FC with two pitches (a football pitch is approximately 100 yards x 50 yards in area) and the local cricket team (the cricket ground maximum 90 yards in radius) rent the space at the moment  but they are going to have to move.

Chris Silverstone is dismayed since the football club has been hosting matches on the estate for over 30 years but now the lease is up, so club has to move. He says that the inconvenience of moving to Stafford might cause the club to collapse. (I can't imagine the chaps will give up if they have to travel a few miles to play, will they?).