Help! We’ve lost our playground - Anger as grass cutting delay leaves village playing field ‘like jungle’

Play equipment and benches are barely visible through the long grass and the field’s BMX track is unusable.

The council has said the work is in hand and has blamed the loss of a previous contractor and bad weather for the length of time it has taken for the grass to be cut, but some villagers are angry about the delay.

Jenna Jeffs, whose two children use the playing field, said: “The grass is so overgrown you don’t know what’s in there.

“It’s so long the benches are disappearing along with the litter bins.

“The BMX track is no longer in use as we can’t find it through the giant thistles.

“I have to take my two children to the next village for them to actually enjoy a park.”

Stacey Neal, who runs the Barley Mow pub in the village, said the park had not been properly maintained or updated for many years.

She added: “The last two summers have seen children crossing main roads to either walk or bike to Napton, Long Itchington and Southam to use the skate parks and other equipment.

“I see this as very dangerous, but can also see why they need to do this as there is nothing in Stockton.

“For such a large space there is scope for a wonderful place for all the community, but, unfortunately the parish council seems disinterested in doing anything at all.

“The Playing Field is worse than ever, with overgrown grass, hedgerows and dog mess to contend with.

“I have given up taking my children to the park as we are always disappointed.”

Parts of the playing field, including the areas around its swings and smaller slide have now been mowed.

Bill Robinson, the parish clerk, said: “The contractor is trying to catch up with the work which was not done when the original contractor dropped out in April.

“We had to find a new contractor and then the rains came.

“The contractor is now getting on with the mowing of the village but it is taking time because the grass is so long.

“The last time I spoke to him he said he had started the work on the playing field and what I’ve told the residents is precisely what I have told you.”