Kentish Express Ashford & District
Council acts after game of tennis seen during lockdown
A councillor has expressed his disappointment after people were spotted playing tennis in Ashford despite government advice to stay home.
The game took place on Saturday on the courts at The Ridge in Kennington, which are looked after by Ashford Borough Council and are free to use.
Cllr Nathan Iliffe (Con), ward member for Kennington, says the players had arrived at the green opposite the Conningbrook Hotel in separate cars.
The councillor posted on his Facebook page: “I’m disappointed to report a resident has contacted me advising that people were playing tennis on the courts at The Ridge.
“According to the resident, the tennis players had arrived at the public courts in two separate cars.
“Playing tennis on a public court does not fall within the government’s guidelines of daily exercise.
“Exercise should take place close to home, people should not be driving anywhere to exercise. Doing so puts lives at risk.
“I have requested that the tennis courts be securely closed as soon as possible.”
In a bid to stop the spread of the coronavirus, the government has asked people to stay home and only leave the house to buy essential shopping such as food or medicine, travelling to work, medical appointments or one daily exercise.
The exercise should only be a run or walk and taken either alone or with people in your household.
Ashford Borough Council, which runs the courts, confirmed it received reports of people using them at the weekend.
A spokesman said: “The council has made it clear that all council leisure sites are closed to the public until further notice and people should not be gathering at these sites during the current lockdown.
“Council staff will be placing laminated signs around the courts and will also tape off the entrance to further deter people from using the courts.
“The council is urging residents to observe the current national restrictions on going out and gathering in groups of more than two people.”
Meanwhile, a group of boys have prompted debate on social media after being spotted playing football in a park.
Residents near the site of the former Bockhanger Community Hub in Ashford noted two incidents, one reportedly involving up to eight boys, on Monday and Tuesday.
Resident Martin Horne said: “Young guys particularly are still not understanding why not hanging out together for a while is so important.
“Young guys might feel invincible but they are not and certainly their families aren’t.
“I really don’t want to be a killjoy but this situation is so serious.”
The area’s borough councillor, Cllr Diccon Spain, said: “This situation is tough for everyone. I realise it’s really difficult for young people who want to play football together with their mates just like they did before the virus but sadly the reality is they are now dicing with death.”
However, several residents have defended the boys.
One said: “There have been groups of two or three boys playing with a ball but those boys are from the same household.
“Two brothers playing football outside their home for less than an hour does not break lockdown rules.
“It is things like this that are making it so hard for communities - like not being able to go for a walk with your children, who do not have a garden to enjoy and have not left the home in a week.”
Over the weekend, police had to remind drivers in Ashford about the guidelines.
A tweet from Kent Police Ashford said: “PCSOs have been out patrolling the Ashford area today.
“A lot of drivers had to be reminded about essential driving only. Some are still ignoring the lockdown rules. If you go out, you can spread it. Stay home and save lives.”
In other parts of the town, such as Victoria Park, people appear to have been sticking to social distancing rules.