The residents of Buckden, St. Neots, are standing at a crucial crossroads. A proposal has been made to allocate £100,000  towards the construction of an eco garden on the village playing field—an area already serving essential recreational purposes. This decision lacks transparency and community approval, posing significant threats to beloved local activities, including football, cricket, and the award-winning charity festival Buckfest.

Firstly, it's essential to highlight that this eco garden has not been requested by our community. Meanwhile, it threatens to disrupt the sporting activities which are fundamental to our village's social fabric. Our local football and cricket teams, who use these grounds, would face logistical and safety challenges. The risk to players from altered field conditions could jeopardise team participation and youth engagement in sports, creating lasting negative impacts.

Furthermore, the establishment of this eco garden threatens Buckfest, an award-winning charity festival that has brought joy and community spirit to our village for years. Buckfest has been a hallmark of Buckden, fostering unity, raising significant funds for local charities, and attracting visitors from beyond our borders.

We believe there are more judicious and community-driven ways to make Buckden eco-friendly. Instead of misallocating funds, we could focus on initiatives that have genuine community support, such as expanding recycling facilities, improving public transportation to reduce the carbon footprint, or promoting eco-friendly home upgrades among residents.

By signing this petition, you are taking a stand for transparency, community-driven decisions, and the preservation of our local traditions and recreational activities. Let us work together to ensure that any significant changes to our shared spaces reflect the true desires and needs of the Buckden community. Please sign and share this petition to prevent the ill-planned allocation of funds for an unwanted eco garden. Together, we can protect the core values and traditions that make our village unique.