Chaddlewood Community Bench Project

Aim

We want to raise £6,200 for 5 new benches and their installation in Chaddlewood. Currently outside of play parks, there are only 2 benches

About us

 Hello, we are the Chaddlewood Friends and Neighbours Society,(Chaddlewood FANS)  a voluntary group set up as a result of feedback from local residents. People wanted a forum for the Chaddlewood community, to be able to support each other to improve their environment, physically and socially, with its main purpose being to foster and strengthen a sense of pride and community spirit for our area, as well as Plympton itself. The group's aim is to engage and work alongside other organisations and with anyone who lives, works, educated and uses the area for leisure. Chaddlewood FANS is intended to be a voice for people with a passion or interest in Chaddlewood. Our group is not politically aligned to any party, we are all volunteers wanting the best for our community.

Chaddlewood FANS 

At the end of 2022 a number of like minded people, all with an interest or involvement  with the Chaddlewood area, began meeting to talk about the formulation of a community group and to have ideas about what the purpose and aims of the group should be. In April 2023 Chaddlewood Friends and Neighbours Society (FANS) was formed, the committee voted in and the group's constitution was agreed. Our next aim was to increase our membership and also to find out what projects people would like to see taking place in the Chaddlewood community.

Consultations

The group held 4 consultations and community mapping sessions, designed to ensure the community had the opportunity to air their views and make suggestions about improvements to the area. We then shortlisted the top ideas and asked people to vote for their favourite to be Chaddlewood FANS very first official project. It was all very exciting! The other voted for projects are still down on the list to work on as soon as possible 

The Bench project

The vote showed that having more benches was the most popular choice. This gave us a really tangible first project, which was relatively easy to manage and deliver but would also be able to show the community that their opinion matters. It also was relevant to all age groups and useful for all of our community. 

The main hurdles to overcome

• Location -  Decided  
• Landowners agreement- Agreed bar one location pending confirmation 
• Council support - Achieved
• Finances  -Sponsorship and Crowdfunder 

Sponsorship

This project has been supported from the start by local business woman, Michele Marsland of Marslands Accountants LTD .  

Marslands, which has been based in Chaddlewood since it opened nearly 20 years ago, deals with local small business accounts but also specialises in property and Landlord's tax across the UK. The company also assist landlords in declaring back tax to the HMRC, using the Let Property Campaign. 

You can contact Michele and her team via  www.marslands.co.uk

About Michele Marsland

Michele approached Chaddlewood Fans regarding the possibility of sponsoring a bench when the project was first agreed last year. We were delighted by her offer, Michele is a very involved member of Chaddlewood living here for almost 30 years ."it's good to give back to my local community which I have always been very involved in!.....I'm glad Chaddlewood FANS are addressing this issue for future residents!" We would like to say on behalf of Chaddlewood a big thank you to Michele not only for  her support to Chaddlewood FANS but also to the community of Chaddlewood 

Why are benches important to Chaddlewood

Chaddlewood is a very hilly, spread out area and is currently serviced by only 2 benches (outside of the play parks). A wide range of people asked for benches for a multitude of reasons. Here are a few

• Memorial benches to sit and think about their loved ones.
• People walking through the area needing places to sit and rest.
• Parents supervising their children at play.  
• People who just wanted to enjoy the scenery.
• People who want to sit and talk.
• People with mobility and health issues to enable them to exercise but to be able to rest on the way. 

Locations

The locations have been suggested by people who had given input to FANS and have been agreed by the Council. 

This overall view of all the suggested sites for the benches as seen below.  Bench sites marked with purple icon. 

 Individual locations for the benches

1) Chaddlewood Field   Bench type: Eco Rest 

 Primary reason for selection: Views of park and it's facilities . 

2) Steer Park Road  Bench type: Eco Rest

Primary reason for selection: Rest 

3) Outside Totnes Play Area  Bench Type: Eco Rest 

Primary reason for selection: View/playground/rest

4) Redwood Heights Park  Bench type: Stanford

Reason for selection:  Memorial, rest/view

5) Green area in front of Bee Subway  Bench type: Eco Rest (no back or arms)

Primary reason for selection: Rest/View

Bench Types

All Council approved and made from durable recycled material 

Stanford

Eco Rest 

Eco Rest (no back or arms)

Back to Finances

The biggest hurdle is obviously the finances and this is where the Crowd funder comes in 

25 Supporters :

Chaddlewood FANS is  passionate about supporting the community. We are supported by our sponsor Michele Marsland, big thanks also to the local Plympton Chaddlewood Councillors, who will be donating a portion of their Community Grant . 

We now need support from the Chaddlewood community .This project needs 25 supporters to unlock a good chunk of Council funding through City Change Fund. BUT we must have 25 supporters and reach 25% of our target.

 Chaddlewood community have said they would like more benches so if this is important to you it would be fantastic if you could give a donation. 

This project successfully funded on 16th March 2024