Caring for land
Supporting recreational and community spaces
At CISWO, we are proud custodians of one of the UK’s largest estates of recreational and community land. Our estate includes football, rugby and cricket pitches, open recreation grounds, welfare halls, playgrounds, community centres, bowling greens, and wider green spaces. These areas serve thousands of people across former coalfield communities, providing places for sport, play, cultural activities, volunteering, and social connection.
They are not just pieces of land — they are the foundations of community life, shaped by heritage and sustained for future generations.
Our role
Many of these spaces were originally created as part of the coal mining industry’s legacy. Today, over 90% of our sites are leased or managed by local charities, community groups, and other organisations. While these groups run the day‑to‑day facilities, CISWO retains a vital role in protecting, supporting, and shaping the long‑term future of the land.
We ensure these spaces remain:
- Safe and accessible
- Fit for modern community use
- Protected from inappropriate development
- Sustainable for the organisations that manage them
By safeguarding these assets, we preserve their heritage while enabling them to evolve to meet changing community needs.
What we do to support and retain recreational land
Stewardship and protection
We oversee the long‑term care of recreational and community spaces, ensuring land is used appropriately, protected from risk, and retained for public benefit. This includes monitoring leases, supporting responsible management, and preventing loss of valued community assets.
Supporting different uses of the land
Our estate serves a wide range of community purposes, and we work to ensure each space is used to its full potential:
- Sports facilities – football, rugby, cricket, tennis, bowling greens, multi‑use games areas
- Recreation grounds – open green spaces for informal play, exercise, dog walking, and community events
- Community buildings – welfare halls, meeting rooms, social clubs, and activity spaces
- Children’s play areas – safe environments for families and young people
- Cultural and social spaces – venues for performances, classes, celebrations, and local traditions
We help organisations adapt these spaces as needs change — whether that’s improving accessibility, modernising facilities, or repurposing land for new community uses.
Investment and improvement
We invest resource and capital funds in partnership with local groups to upgrade and modernise facilities. This includes improving sports pitches, refurbishing welfare halls, enhancing play areas, and supporting environmental improvements such as drainage, lighting, and pathways.
Guidance and governance
We provide trustees and charities with expert advice on governance, funding, planning, and compliance. This helps ensure the organisations managing our land are equipped to keep these spaces viable and sustainable.
Partnership working
We collaborate with councils, businesses, sports bodies, and community organisations to maximise the impact of these spaces. Through partnership, we help unlock funding, coordinate improvements, and support long‑term planning.
Why it matters
In many former mining towns and villages, these spaces are central to community identity. They host sports teams, local events, cultural activities, and social gatherings. They provide safe places for children to play, support physical and mental wellbeing, and bring people together.
They also represent the rich heritage of coal mining communities. By protecting and investing in them, we honour this legacy while ensuring these spaces remain vibrant, inclusive, and relevant for generations to come.
