The football pitches at Bayard Recreation Ground are in danger of further deterioration unless immediate action is taken. Until July, the pitches had a good-to-average rating with around 65% grass coverage. Following the dry summer, this has fallen to less than 30%, with much of the remaining surface covered in dead grass.
The Recreation Ground will be closed on Monday 19th October 2026 for reseeding, but will remain open for Playgroup access only. For the seed to germinate, the ground will be closed to the public for approximately six weeks. Strict access will be allowed from Tuesday 20th October 2026 from Bayard Avenue to Regent Road only via an access path during this time. Without intervention, continued use could cause further damage, potentially leaving the whole ground as a muddy, unusable surface.
Access will remain available to the Play Group and for walking along the designated areas and paths. Visitors are asked to respect the restricted areas while the works are carried out.
With Brightlingsea Regent Youth continuing to expand and more teams needing facilities, a long-term solution is also essential. An all-weather pitch at Lower Park could provide a valuable, year-round playing facility for the town’s young people, while reducing pressure on existing grass pitches.
A spokesperson for Brightlingsea Town Council stated: "We need to protect Bayard now and plan for the future to ensure our young people have the facilities they deserve. We apologise for any inconvenience caused."
