How very sad it was for me to read the recent news that Redlands Sports Hub facilities will be closed down as from July 2022.

Over the years, especially at weekends, the sight of seeing so many children playing different sports at Redlands was amazing to say the least. There will be happy memories of so many residents in Weymouth and district area who used these facilities when they were children.

Whether you are a fan of grassroots football or not, in my humble opinion children need to play their chosen sport in an environment which has a safe surface, and up to date goal post equipment. Once upon a time (so the story goes) Redlands Sports Hub facilities were a thriving important part of the Weymouth and district community. Whatever sport you played Redlands would accommodate whether indoors or outside. Bar was always open with Friday night thrift club evening. I guess I am an old sentimental fool to dwell so much on the past.

On behalf of all the local sports clubs, and children who love their sport, can I respectfully ask that before the authorities jump on this golden opportunity to build houses, every avenue possible will be looked at before a closure decision is finally made. Once it’s gone it’s gone for ever.

Another very important factor, which people forget, there is a huge amount of nature and wildlife in and around the Redlands area. Do we intend to destroy that as well?

Around the South Dorset area so many sporting facilities are being closed or streamlined down. Quite the opposite in other parts of the county. Weymouth needs to increase their sporting facilities so that those adults and children who want to take part in sport have every opportunity to do so. Surely this day and age of modern technology should we not encourage our children to spend less time on their computers and more time engaging in physical outdoor exercise.

I will take this opportunity to mention a public “well done” to the ground staff of Redlands Sports Hub. I have never seen the football pitches looking in such good condition for years.

Please can our local councillors try their best to save this precious sporting facility in Weymouth. On behalf of the adults, children, birds, rabbits, foxes, badgers, and many others, a huge thank you to the minority of councillors who are doing their best to resolve this situation. We will remember you at the ballot box.

Bob Mowlem

Celtic Crescent, Dorchester