The new all-weather Astroturf at John Kyrle High School was opened on Monday by Clive Richards, OBE. The impressive facility is an outstanding addition to the existing extensive playing fields, sports hall and LTA standard tennis courts at the school. As well as providing an all-weather surface, the Astroturf pitch is fully floodlit enabling students and members of the local community to enjoy full sporting activities and training throughout the year. The area is the size of a full-sized football pitch and also has markings for hockey and three five-a- side football courts. Construction of the Astroturf playing surface, which is widely regarded as the best local facility of its kind, began last June with much of the work taking place over the school holidays in order to minimise disruption to students and staff. The Clive Richards Charity which partly funded the project which cost over £400,000 is a Herefordshire based charity which raises funds to assist with education, church and arts-based projects. Prior to asking Mr Richards to unveil a plaque, Nigel Griffiths, Headteacher, said, "These are very challenging times in education across the whole of Herefordshire in terms of discussions on possible school reorganisation. "It is timely to celebrate some outstanding partnership work which has led to the provision of this facility for the school and its community." He thanked Herefordshire Council and Children's Services for their assistance and also members of JKHS staff. Clive Richards said how very pleased he was to be involved with John Kyrle. In all his visits to the school he found the staff and the students to be very friendly and he was delighted that they are able to make use of the new all-weather pitch.