Titchmarsh Playing Fields consist of a large grassed open area with sports pitches, a Pavilion (with a Function Room and Changing Facilities) and a play area. This is the only public play area serving the village, its children and residents. The Playing Fields Association is a Voluntary Organisation that is responsible for oversight of the Playing Fields and Facilities on behalf of the Parish Council and is the organisation that is backing this project.

The play area is used by local children and those attending the village school (some of whom attend from outside the village). It is also used by young children who attend pre-school activity classes in the Function Room. The Playing Fields are regularly used by a local football club (Thrapston Town Juniors FC) who have 4 teams training and playing fixtures on our pitches and who bring a regular crowd of supporters and siblings to the area who often use the Play Equipment.

The play area was originally erected in the 1960s and currently consists of a metal slide, a double swing (both original), a wooden play fort and a wooden trim trail. Over the past years, despite regular maintenance, the play area has fallen into disrepair, mainly due to the age of the equipment. Many items do not meet current safety standards (such as fall height) and are built over a grass base so are not useable in all weathers. In 2012, a new piece of equipment (a ‘Spider’s Web’ climbing frame) was constructed outside the boundary of the main play area for older children to use. This is in good condition and we intend to incorporate this into any future improvements.

Due to the condition of the main play equipment, the Playing Fields Committee has been approached by local residents who would like to see improvements to the play area to give their children a safe, modern and stimulating environment to use. We consider that a complete design and re-build is the best option to achieve this and intend to construct a completely new play area on the site of the existing one that meets the wishes and aspirations of the community. This will include activities for a variety of ages from toddlers to teenagers, an all-weather surface and some accessible elements.