I WRITE to you in my capacity of Secretary of Tyldesley Rugby Club and about an increasing problem being suffered by the rugby club from uncaring members of the community.

For years the club has granted access along the footpath that runs paralell with Astley Street Park across our ground adjoining the public footpath at the bottom of Well Street. However, people seem to choose to cut across the club car park and the corner of one of our pitches on foot, pushing prams, riding bikes and even motorbikes instead of using

the footpath.

We have suffered this despite the damage it does to the pitch which cost the club over £500 a year to maintain, now an even more alarming trespass is taking place.

People are now actually driving down to the club in cars, parking up and then taking their dog or dogs in some cases for a walk around the club grounds allowing then to deficate and causes damage to the pitches.

Tyldesley RUFC has always been and will remain so an important part of the town and the community however we are not a public park! The grounds are for playing and training on by club members, our mini and junior section play on areas badly effected by this total lack of common sense and decency. The club is taking action to ensure that persons found walking dogs around the grounds will be asked to refrain from doing so, repeated offenders will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

The club has been in existance for 116 years and we hope to be here in another 116 years but we ask for the people of Tyldesley to show the same respect for the club that the players down at Well Street show for the name of Tyldesley everytime they pull on a blue shirt.

I am proud to say that I have played for "Bongs" as do many other people in the town. We at Tyldesley RUFC know of our own rugby heritage and the pride the club gave the town at the turn of the century. In a small way we hope to put some pride back into the town and ask the members of the community to follow suit and help us firmly put Tyldesley back on the map.

Howard Hughes

Hon. Secretary, Tyldesley RUFC

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