Village’s heart begins to beat
A spirit of community is building all the time among people living in Newark and Sherwood’s newest village.
Residents moved to Fernwood on the former Balderton Hospital site with the promise of a community centre, shops, sports facilities and even a school.
But the planning agreement meant that several hundred new homes would be built first so the residents have had to wait.
The shops should have been finished by the time 600 houses were built but there are now likely to be 800 homes on the site by the time the shops are ready in August.
A total of 1,100 homes are earmarked for Fernwood.
Two of the shop units are to be takeaways and there will be a convenience store and a hairdressers.
A village hall is being built and should be ready by the end of summer and a parish council has been set up.
Mr Jim Gould (63) of Goldstraw Lane, Fernwood, was elected its first chairman.
He said it was frustrating that plans for a school had not gone ahead, but the council would keep pressing for one.
Land has been earmarked, but Nottinghamshire County Council says it will not build one while there are vacancies at nearby schools.
“When it is fully developed there will be about 1,100 houses with 3,500 residents of all ages so a school, at least a junior school, is well justified as we were promised when we moved in,” said Mr Gould.
“If they do build 1,100 homes, it makes us a much stronger village. It will be nice to see the full development take place because as a community it will give us greater clout.”
The council’s vice-chairman, Mr Sandeep Thandi (33) of Rosefield Close, Fernwood, is also a member of the village hall committee and secretary of the residents’ association.
He said it was important to build community spirit.
He said people had not, until recently, seen anything happening at Fernwood.
“But things are starting to move,” said Mr Thandi.
“Residents are asking what activities will take place in the hall when it is finished and we have already got some bookings.
“There has been a change in atmosphere and attitude.”
Mr Thandi said there was nothing but houses when people first moved in.
The only events were held at Christmas and Bonfire Night.
“Once the village hall is built it will be the centre of the community,” he said.
“There will be things to do without people having to venture too far.”
Parish councillor Mr Jim Weale (63) of Oakfield Road, Fernwood, said: “There were a lot of promises of things that were supposed to be built which did not happen. It was very frustrating.
“Once the village hall is up it will be the hub of the community.”
Mr Mike Mutter (64) of Cormack Lane, Fernwood, has been chairman of the residents’ association since it started four years ago and now serves on the parish council.
“In the last six months work on the shops and the community centre has started,” he said.
“Suddenly from nothing we are beginning to get something. Hopefully, by the end of the year, we will have quite a vibrant centre which will be to everybody’s benefit.”
A hard surface play area has tennis courts that double up as a netball court and there is also a football pitch.
A women’s netball team has been set up.
Mrs Victoria Needle (32) of Collinson Lane, Fernwood, who moved from Peterborough two years ago, said it was an ideal way to meet new people and keep fit.
“It’s great to have a facility like this on your doorstep,” she said.
“Some people come along because they want to get fit, but others want to be competitive.”
The club meets on Tuesdays from 7pm and has more than 30 members aged 16 and over.
The chairman is Mrs Sally Pygott (28) of Dale Close, Fernwood, who played netball at university.
Fernwood has its own football team, with about 25 members, that is hoping to play in the Newark Alliance next season.
Its pitch and facilities have to pass an inspection, and water and electricity has not yet been installed.
The council cannot install them because the land is still owned by the developers, David Wilson Homes.
Mr Julian Morrell (33) of Rubys Walk, Fernwood, has lived on the estate for around 18 months with his girlfriend, Miss Rachel Rasen.
They use the tennis courts once a week and walk their dog, Zack, on the playing fields and grassed area every day.
Mr Morrell said: “The village hall will hold weddings and we are getting married next year — our reception could be there.”
He said having shops on the estate would be a big step forward but called for a better footpath linking Fernwood with Balderton.
Mr Neil Gilmour (39) and Miss Sarah Bonser (39) have lived on Cameron Lane, Fernwood, for a year.
Mr Gilmour said: “On the whole it is an exciting, positive place to live and it is good for families.”
He liked the mix of modern buildings with nature nearby.
He said a downside was that every time they needed milk or some other convenience food, it meant a drive to Balderton or Newark and an increase in their carbon footprint, so they were looking forward to having shops close by.
Their house overlooks the playing field and park area and so their children feel safe when out playing.
“We like the outdoor aspects of the estate,” said Mr Gilmour.
The couple said improvements to the Balderton path would make it safe for children to walk and cycle along the route.
Sam Bonser (11) said: “We use the tennis courts, play football and you do not need to go to Balderton to meet your friends.”
Mrs Sue Saddington, the county councillor for the area, said she would continue to press for a school to be built.
She said it was vital for the many young families living at Fernwood.
Mrs Saddington has set aside £1,500 of her electoral budget from last year to pay for kitchen equipment for the new village hall.
Mr Giles Radley, the chairman of the village hall committee, said residents completed a questionnaire about their preferences as to what it should be called and what facilities they wanted in it.
The building will be named Fernwood Village Hall and will have a main hall able to seat 200 people, a meeting room, a playroom, bar, changing facilities and toilets.
Mr Radley said a number of bookings had already been made for events, including birthday parties. He said a drama group was looking to book the hall for a Christmas pantomime.
People are very much looking forward to it opening,” he said. “We have had very good responses from a lot of residents.”
