Swindon leisure club permanently bans dog walkers from field

Nalgo Sports and Recreation Ground have made the decision to ban public access to their field which has been used by dog walkers for years.

This change has come after the club said volunteer staff were being verbally abused by some of the walkers.

The decision, which the club said was also influenced by some walkers not cleaning up after their animals, has angered many in the Swindon dog-walking community.

A sign at the Nalgo ground warning dog walkers. (Image: Newsquest)

Steven Perry from Upper Stratton has been walking his dog at the site for 12 years but was shocked to find a chain on the access gate on Monday, August 21.

“It should be a place for the public to use but we have been kept out now,” said the 25-year-old.

“Being able to walk the dog over there is a great mental health boost and when I was younger and studying for exams, it was a great place to go away from the stress.

“I feel quite angry as this is a nostalgic and peaceful place for me, its vindictive.”

The fields at Nalgo are now only for members say the club. (Image: Dave Cox)

The Adver reported in July that pensioners walking in the area were scared by the club staff and a sign was added warning that all dogs should be on a lead.

Nalgo secretary Rob Johns has now decided that enough is enough and the club has closed off access to the fields to anyone bar members.

“The dog walkers have become very abusive to the volunteer staff when they were asked to put the dogs on leads,” he said.

“It is a members’ club and it's private property so now only members can use it."

The 64-year-old made the decision alongside the club because of what he said was the health risk posed by local dog walkers using the site.

The access gate is now locked and chained up. (Image: Steven Perry)

“They really have abused these sports fields where we have both adults and children playing in,” said Mr Johns.

“The last thing they need is to be sliding through dog faeces because it causes diseases and it can cause children to go blind.”

The secretary feels remorse for some of those who have lost access but believes the change is necessary for the greater good.

“We appreciate walking dogs is good for the mental health but they are allowing the dogs to go free and do their dirty work,” added Mr Johns.

“It’s not public access, it's private property, and we’re fighting a battle with an abusive handful who have ruined it for the other dog walkers too.”