Warwickshire News Mine

Chris Watkins, chair of the Stockingford Residents Association, has campaigned over the last few years to make Stockingford Recreation Ground a safer place. He was responsible, along with Warwickshire County Council, for installing the inhibitors at the entrances to the recreation ground when nuisance motorcycle riding became a problem for residents.

When the plastic bins in the area were being persistently burnt and vandalised, Chris received funds from Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council’s Safer Streets Fund and had bomb proof bins installed.

Recently, Chris has worked with Sam Budgen, tenant participation officer at the borough council. Together, they formed The Ford Residents Association who along with residents and some of the young people planted 10,000 daffodils in the grounds, provided by the Borough Council and the Marie Curie Cancer Trust.

He said: “These are small measures but little by little we are building up local involvement and, importantly, are getting the help of the young people in the area.

“They have helped us plant the flowers and that bit of ownership will make them more protective of the grounds.  Benches installed have made the ground more attractive to local people and will make them more inclined to visit.  This will further discourage any wrongdoing.

“The other measures, the inhibitors and the bins are also clear signs that we are not going to take anti-social behaviour lightly.”

Future ventures for Chris include trying to get a skate park for the ground and he is still looking at the possibility of adding a BMX track to the area, both of which have been proven to drive down crime in other areas. 

The borough council is also looking to make improvements to the children’s play area this year.

The Taking a Stand award is a national scheme and part of the government’s Respect agenda.  It seeks nominations which highlight the work carried out at a local level by people which is having a positive effect on the local community.

The nomination was a joint effort between regular partners Warwickshire County Council and Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council. Sam Budgen was joined by Paul Littler, Warwickshire County Council’s anti-social behaviour strategy co-ordinator.  They nominated Chris in recognition of the work he had done with the local people and in helping to drive anti-social behaviour out of the ground.  Paul said:

“A very important strand of the county’s strategy in fighting anti-social behaviour is in uniting the community and drawing on all the resources available to combat it where it exists and look to prevent it happening.

“Chris has worked with various partners – the county council, the borough Council and Warwickshire Police – as well as the community.  He has looked for solutions to problems where they exist and looked at ways to divert people so that nuisance behaviour and vandalism do not become issues in the future.”

As part of his prize, Chris will receive a cheque for £1000 to go towards a community project.

He said: “I’m pleased to get the award but it marks the work of partners as well as individuals and I am grateful to them for all their help. As thrilled as I am to receive this award, the most rewarding aspect for me is seeing the community, young and older people alike, taking pride in their area. I can see the fruits of our labours as Stockingford becomes a safer place.”

Link to WCC