West Coker is fortunate to have the Recreation Ground located in Halves Lane. It exists for the benefit of children and young people in the village (though others are most welcome) and is looked after by a management committee formed from  members of West Coker Parish Council and the users.  The Parish Council is the ‘Sole Managing Trustee’ for the Recreation Ground For Children Charity. Minutes of meetings and other documents can be viewed HERE 

It became clear some years ago that major attention was required, notably to the three old  ‘buildings’ on the west side (Pavilion, Scout/Guide hut and Cricket Club), and to the flood-prone tennis courts.  The trustees and the main organisations who use the facility (Girl Guides, Scouts, Youth Club, Cricket Club) agreed to work together to improve matters by:

1. Replacing all three existing buildings with a single new building which will meet all needs
2.  Improving and extend  facilities for sports and games

In 2014 we conducted a survey to learn more about what villagers use, want they want, and whether they would like to help in some way. The results of that survey can be seen HERE 

By December 2020, we agreed on a ‘one pavilion’ solution to meet the needs of the Scouts, Guides groups, the Youth Club, West Coker & Hardington Cricket Club and other users.  We created a design and secured formal Planning Approval and we selected a builder. Resources were built up from the council tax ‘precept’ and we received levies from the Kier/Tilia development at Bunford Heights. These added up to about 50% of the total project cost. We secured a ‘Public Works Loan’ to cover the rest, so progress could be made.

The buildings were closed and emptied. Demolition began in August 2021, and the new build in the winter.