Where football meets nature in Welshpool

A year on from the proud unveiling of the Wayne Evans Playing Fields and we have discovered that Welshpool has also welcomed a new nature haven.

Over £6,000 of Welsh Government grant money has been spent to turn the near five-acre site into a blissful spot that can be enjoyed year-round by anyone wanting to visit a quiet place to walk, sit, reflect or simply enjoy the wildlife which is in abundance.

The three football pitches were created following a tireless community campaign to replace the open space lost by the Salop Road fields being used for the new Primary School.

The group refused to take no for an answer during their search for a replacement and a 25-year lease was eventually agreed with Powis Estates to turn the former livestock grazing fields into quality pitches.

They have been named after Wayne Evans, the brilliant former Welshpool professional footballer who tragically died suddenly in his American home last year.

But on returning this week to meet Eva Bredsdorff, the tireless secretary for Welshpool Town FC & Juniors who manage the fields, we discovered that it is much more than a sporting facility.

“It has become a very popular location for people to come year-round,” said Eva (right). “We were successful in receiving £5,703,14 from the Landfill Disposals Tax Communities Scheme which has enabled us to make it a lovely place to visit.”

The fields are indeed a magical spot. It is far enough away from the bypass to cut out the main traffic noise and near enough to the town centre to make it walkable.

The money has been invested wisely to purchase equipment that helps to manage the undergrowth and hedge rows to create a walkway around the pitches. Wildflower seeds have been sewn and 19 benches are located in various spots to enjoy the scenery and suck in the fresh air.

The club has worked closely with the Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust to place bat and bird boxes, while interpretation boards are now in place to allow visitors to see what birds and butterflies have been seen in the area.

Some of the money has also been used to restore a piece of Welshpool history that was discovered by volunteers.

The water trough (right) is thought to be over 200 years old and used water from the canal for livestock on the fields.

“We really want to encourage people to enjoy this area and use it responsibly,” said Eva, who said dog walkers are welcome. “We feel this is a wonderful new nature location that the town can enjoy, and not just for the young footballers who are also benefitting from it in huge numbers.”

But maintaining the site takes a lot of effort, and that is why this Sunday a volunteer day is being organised at the location.

Anyone 16 and over is welcome to go down and pitch in to carry out a number of important jobs before the onset of winter.

“We had a very successful Volunteer Day earlier this year, so we need to make sure that the wildlife areas around the pitches are ready for the winter,” said Eva, who said they have two strimmers, but ideally would like people to bring their own equipment and gloves.

If you are able to take part, contact Eva through bredsdorffeva@gmail.com or 07802676054.