Help Restore Creech St Michael Recreation Park

This fundraiser has been created to support the urgent financial costs of clearing, repairing, and restoring Creech St Michael Recreation Park following an illegal encampment.

Creech St Michael is a historic Somerset village on the outskirts of Taunton, with roots dating back to the Domesday Book. Known for its strong community spirit, village green, and well-loved recreation spaces, it has long been a welcoming and peaceful place for families, children, and visitors alike.

While we pride ourselves on being an inclusive and friendly community, recent events have had a significant impact. The illegal encampment has led to the temporary closure of our recreation park, disruption to daily village life, and distress for many residents. Our only village shop has had to close early due to repeated thefts, and the local pub has also been forced to reduce its hours. There have been incidents involving fighting, threats, and intimidation, leaving many in the community feeling unsafe.

The recreation park is owned and maintained by the Parish Council, which has acted swiftly. Following extraordinary meetings this week, funds have been approved for legal action, including notice to quit and, as of 30 April, the appointment of bailiffs at a cost of £5,495 + VAT.

However, this is only part of the financial burden. Significant additional costs are expected for the clean-up and safe disposal of waste, as well as repairs to the park itself — including the pavilion, toilets, play equipment, and essential security measures.

As a community, we have come together to raise these vital funds so we can restore our much-loved recreation park and reopen it for everyone to enjoy once again. This space is not only important to Creech St Michael, but is also widely used and cherished by people across Taunton.

Any donation, no matter how small, will make a meaningful difference and help us bring our park back to life.

Thank you for taking the time to read and support our community!