New recreation ground opens in Copplestone

A brand new recreation ground has got the village of Copplestone celebrating.

Residents and sports enthusiasts alike turned out in force to enjoy the Adam Stansfield Football Festival, which marked the official opening of the facility on Saturday 27 April.

The ground has been named 'The Dave Pullen Recreational Field', in honour of the late district councillor who campaigned vigorously in support of the project until his death from cancer in 2009.

Paul Tucker, Grants and Funding Officer, said: "The Dave Pullen Recreational Field is a great asset for Copplestone and provides a purpose-built arena for the village's thriving youth football activities. District Councillor Dave Pullen worked tirelessly in support of this project, and we are delighted that his hard work can now be recognised in this way."

The project was in part funded by a section 106 grant, in which a housing developer contributes towards community facilities for each property completed. Devon County Council contributed £50,000 from its 'Investing in Devon' budget, matching a £50,000 grant from the People's Millions, a partnership between Big Lottery Fund and ITV.