Tooting residents disappointed as council orders cancellation of Fishponds Playing Fields event

By The Editor 29th Oct 2020

Local News by The Editor 29th Oct 2020

Tooting residents are disappointed after receiving news that a Free Play event at Fishponds Playing Fields was cancelled due to Wandsworth Council.

The event, which was organised by Forever Fishponds, was ordered by Wandsworth Council to not take place due to coronavirus restrictions.

A council spokesman said: "The playing fields are available to sports clubs and teams to play a variety of team sports like football, cricket and rugby. They are a vital and scarce resource for local clubs and offer much-needed space for sporting activities.

"The organisers of this large-scale non-sports event have been told that due to the current Covid-19 regulations, events of this nature are not currently permissible."

The free play session was due to take place yesterday from 2-4pm.

One Tooting resident said: "How does that make any sense but we can still go to any open space and do the same activities whilst adhering to tier 2?"

Another resident said: "It's a public space, what is going on. Don't buy into the Covid excuse, why are we all allowed on the common then?"

Forever Fishponds are a group of volunteers which are dedicated to getting Fishponds Playing Fields open to the community all of the time.

At the moment the green space is only used by sporting clubs and schools when pre-booked.

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan has also shown support for opening up Fishponds Playing Fields to the public.

The MP for Tooting previously joined with local ward councillors Annamarie Critchard, James Daley and Paul White, to urge Wandsworth Council to reconsider the use of the fields.

Dr Rosena Allin - Khan previously said: "During the summer, the playing fields were open from 8am-6pm, daily.

"Local families used the fields for their morning walks, family picnics, and games for the children.

"My children really enjoyed their time spent playing there, as did other families. As we head into winter, these opening times are under threat and the fields could be closed to local residents."