DIY SOS Ottery style!

Otter Garden Centres came to the rescue of the Ottery St Mary youth football club after declaring their existing viewing area unfit for purpose.

The family-run garden centre was approached by a member of the football club asking for help with urgent repairs to their lean-to shed, used by parents and supporters as cover when viewing matches. The shed was constructed of wood and sheet metal cladding and was leaking badly.

Sabine Taylor from Otter Garden Centres said: “The team discussed how we could help and agreed to donate and build a brand new modern summerhouse, with a covered lean-to on the front for parents to stand under to cheer the teams on.

“This includes a covered patio area at the side where a BBQ can be set up to provide food and drink such as bacon sandwiches, hot dogs, teas and coffees for supporters and players after the matches.”

To celebrate the handover of the new summerhouse the club organised a friendly football match with a team from Otter Garden Centres playing five-a-side football against the under 13 Ottery team.

"The under 13 football team was a delight to play football against – they were very kind to the visiting team,” Sabine explained.

“We all came away impressed with the level of football they played and their conduct on the pitch; they showed that you can be good at football and also be a credit to the sport and your community.”

The result was a marginal win for the Otter Garden Centres team – although there was a slight suspicion that the team may have let the visitors win, as a thank you for donating the summerhouse and providing bacon sandwiches after the match.

“We are pleased to have supported the youth teams and we hope we might be able to arrange an annual match so that we can keep in touch with them and help again in the future. It's so good for young people to get outside and play sport and Ottery Football club gives the youngsters a great opportunity to do this."