The Village Green
The Green’s History
The piece of land between Pook Lane and Sheepwash Lane, commonly known as the Village Green, is legally named the Recreation Ground. The visible green space is largely made up of the registered Village Green.
The land is owned by both Goodwood Estate and Lavant Parish Council. LPC having been gifted their part by the Goodwood Estate under an agreement dated 1925. The Parish pays Goodwood Estate a princely sum of one old shilling (1/-) or 5p in today’s money, per year under this agreement.
There is a World War II memorial stone on the northeast corner of the Green, which is dated 2002, and forms the focal point of the annual Remembrance Day service by the local churches each year.
Memorial Trees and Benches/Tables
You will notice lots of beautiful trees around the edges of the Green, along with a variety of benches and picnic tables. Many of these have been donated to the Parish by members of the public wishing to remember a particular family member. If you would like to consider a memorial tree/bench, please refer to the Parish Clerk for further information, or refer to our Memorial Policy here which outlines how to apply.
Who can Use the Green?
As a registered Village Green, this beautiful open space is for the enjoyment of all local residents at all times. The Green has, by law, to remain open and all of it has to be freely accessible at all times to local residents. It cannot be used for commercial activity and no charge can be made for entry on to the Green under any circumstances.
The Parish Council is responsible for managing the use of the Village Green so that all users have an enjoyable visit without hindrance from others. To help with this process there exists a set of local Byelaws which clearly define what activities can, and cannot, take place on the Green. These are available to view here. These byelaws are currently under review (as at November 2020).
Two of our local sports teams make seasonal use of the Village Green – Lavant Cricket Club and Lavant Football Club. Check out their websites for information on local fixtures and come down to support them! There’s no nicer place to sit and watch the fun and games.
Who Maintains the Green?
This onerous task falls to the Lavant Volunteer Task Force (LVTF), who undertake the regular mowing of the Green, looking after the trees, fences, hedges and benches. Occasionally a tree will need to be felled if it becomes diseased, unsafe or reaches the end of its natural life and the relevant experts are called in at this point. All of this work is funded by the Parish Council, through its share of the local taxes (precept). Please help our volunteers in their duties by taking care how you use the Green and don’t forget to use the bins provided or even better, take your rubbish home with you. CDC are paid to empty the bins on a regular basis.
The central cricket wicket is maintained by the Cricket Club, and this space is protected by the stakes/ropes that are clearly visible. Users of the Green are requested to stay off the cricket wicket.
Can I use the Green for an Event?
Given the close proximity of the Green to the Memorial Hall, hirers of the hall regularly request additional access on to the Green (for extra space, marquees, gazebos, bouncy castles). If you would like to use the Green for an event, with or without hiring the hall, you must seek separate permission from the Parish Council - please refer to our Village Green Usage Agreement and the Standard Conditions of Use which are downloadable here. Please remember though, that you cannot have exclusive use of the Green at any time due to the legal protection offered to a registered Village Green. There are also rules about use of public spaces, including sale/consumption of alcohol or musical performances, that might require an appropriate Temporary Event Notice licence from the local authority (CDC). Please refer to the CDC website for more licencing information at www.chichester.gov.uk
See Memorial Hall for hire of the hall.
Book early if you wish to use the Green for an event – it’s very popular, particularly during the nicer weather. Contact the Parish Clerk to see if the date you want is available or for more information.
Important Note – the Green cannot be used for any commercial activity (ie for profit), unless as part of a charitable fund-raising event with the Parish Council’s permission. This is the law, not a whim of the Parish Council, so please respect this regulation. This applies to sole traders as much as to larger companies. Some examples of what is not allowed: personal fitness/sport training businesses, dog training operations. This is not an exhaustive list – if in doubt, please check with the Parish Clerk before undertaking the activity. Thank you for your cooperation.
Please see user agreement form & village byelaws for more details.