Future of Ingleton pavilion comes under scrutiny

VIEWS on what to do with a village pavilion are being sought to secure its future.

Ingleton sports pavilion has been the responsibility of the village parish council since 2009 when Ingleton Cricket Club folded.

It has been available to book in the years since but its use has been limited.

Members of a new pavilion working group have now compiled a questionnaire to garner views from villagers about what they want it to be.

Cllr Michelle Vickers explained: “We’re trying to make a list of activities, get people to fill them in and then collect them at the Black Horse pub.

“We’ll analyse the feedback and see which options are viable.”

The question forms have been posted around the village and are due to be given to parents of children at Ingleton Primary School.

Options suggested include making a “fresh food and preparation area” in the building, opening it up for birthday parties and reusing it as sports changing rooms.

At last month’s parish council meeting, Cllr Paul Hunton was keen to encourage wider participation in the village and suggested an open day.

Chairman Cllr Steve Leech liked the idea and thought a key system could be the way to go.

He said: “Near The Bowes Museum there is a facility for tennis where you can buy a key for a year – it allows members of the public to access it.

“Maybe it could be £12 to use the facility and a small donation for the electricity – it might be available for birthday parties.

“But we do have the village hall and we should not be trying to have a competition between two village facilities,” he added.

“It would be no good for either and certainly no good for the community.”

The council also heard it had received several “strongly worded” emails advising that the pavilion should not become a business.

After the meeting, Cllr Judith Pressley said she would be seeking out funding from Teesdale Action Partnership (TAP) to support the pavilion.

She added: “We are hoping to something for the families in the village and we’ve had quite a few suggestions.”

For more information, go to the parish council website at ingletonparishcouncil.org.uk or ring Mr Leech on 01325 733355.