The dream of a group of young people in Abridge to open a sports area in the village has taken a massive step towards becoming a reality.
The Abridge Village Youth Partnership is celebrating a pledge of £10,000 from the Village Hall Trustees which means they are half way towards reaching their goal.
And it hopes another step forward will soon be taken with planning permission granted by Epping Forest District Council which might unlock the door to further funding needed for the project.
The campaign has been spearheaded by 16-year-old Abridge resident, Michael Austin, who has been supported by friends who formed the Abridge Village Youth Partnership.
Michael said: "There really is very little to do in the village for young people.
"It was when me and some friends were told we were not allowed to play football in the field behind the village hall a couple of years ago that we decided something should be done.
"This pledge from the Village Hall Trustees is excellent news. We already have some money saved up from our own fundraising events so we are well on our way."
The plan is to create a hard surface area where people can play a range of sports with friends such as football, basketball, hockey and netball. Michael said that if the area proved popular regular clubs could be opened in the future.
The partnership is now looking for businesses to sponsor the scheme to help raise the last bit of money they need.
Published Wednesday July 28, 2004
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