Sporty Saltmills

Way back...
on the 1oth January I joined Ray and the Groundwork's team down at Saltmill Park in Saltash, Cornwall for the opening of the new sports pitch. Bad weather did not effect play and coach loads of school kids and local VIPS arrived for official 'kick off'.
The park, a former landfill, has undergone a massive regeneration and walking around the site with Ray (checking out the public art works and skate park) its hard to believe this beautiful spot overlooking the Tamar was once a rubbish dump.
Looking good!

The kids got to test out the 'astro-turf' pitch with a spot of hockey and rugby (check the photo of James showing us how it should be done!) I tell you, fake grass technology has come on in leaps and bounds since my hockey playing days back in the 80's - running around on the type of surface grocer's displayed their veg on down the high street! Wonder if this new stuff still burns as badly if you slip on it - you are surprised I didn't test this out!

Alex introduced me to one of the local residents Fran who has been involved in the sites re-development since the outset. She told me how back in the days of the site being a rubbish tip you sometimes had to keep your windows closed during the summer months because of the smell and flies. She pointed out her house overlooking the site. It was fascinating to hear about the scrapbook she kept documenting the process of change in the area. And her own process of change too, as she briefly described her own journey into community activism, local politics and her current role as Mayor.

Despite the grey day and bad light Ray and I filmed and photographed (there were almost as many cameras snapping as there were hockey sticks thwacking that day i can tell you!) Anyhoo I've chosen a few for your enjoyment - By the way the one of Nicola telling me where to go gives you an idea that perhaps I was just as bit too happy snappy ;)