South Molton Rugby Club are looking to create a new pitch just south of the cemetery and to the east of the community college . This will form part of the mooted sports hub.

It appears that this one pitch will cost almost £300,000 – largely for the purchase of the land.

The club have promises of £110,000 in so-called Section 106 money from North Devon District Council,  £65,000 from the Lottery via Sports England and a further sum from the Rugby Football Union. They are also looking to South Molton Town Council for help.

In the current financial climate is this the best use of public money?

I have to say that I’d rather the money were spent to ensure that the swimming pool can continue to operate. I base this on the grounds that the swimming pool is an amenity for a very much wider group of people. Unlike rugby, it truly caters for all ages and abilities, and is particularly useful for those with disabilities.