MEMBERS of Bangors Green Residents' Association and Poundstock Parish Council met in Poundstock Village Hall on Saturday, December 5 to celebrate the news that the green area in the centre of Bangors Green Estate has been granted Village Green status.

Two years ago the residents of Bangors Green, decided to apply to register the green area in the centre of the estate as 'Village Green,' this being allowed under Section 15 of The Commons Act 2006.

Their application was approved on October 15. This reduces the risk of development on the green area.

Village Green status, however, does much more than just reduce the risk of development. It also means that the green is now a parish resource, where all Poundstock residents can indulge in lawful sports and pastimes.

These might include, organised, or ad-hoc games, picnics, charity events, open air church services, table top sales, brass band concerts, fetes and similar events.

Kevin Taylor Chairman of Bangors Green Residents' Association said: "The green does need some small improvements (benches, trees and some drainage work) before it can be seriously considered a proper village green and a real asset to the community.

"To this end, we are looking to set up, under the watchful eye of the parish council, a small committee made up of a parish council representatives and representatives from interested groups in the parish churches, Bangors Residents' Association, youth groups, charity groups etc."

Kevin added: "This group is to meet every couple of months or so, its brief is to research and chase funding that may be available to improve this potentially great community asset.

"The granting of village green status to this space means that, for the first time, the parish of Poundstock has a real village green, available for everyone to use and if any Poundstock resident has ideas as to how to use the space, please come and use it, or come along and join the Village Green Improvement Group."