HELEN VISITS NEW CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND
Helen will be in Cotherstone today to meet local parents from the action group play@cotherstone and see the latest developments to the village playground.
The group have raised over £120,000 from sources including the Big Lottery Fund, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Teesdale Village Halls Consortium and GlaxoSmithKline. Around 1,700 volunteer hours have also been donated by local people who wanted to improve the formerly dilapidated playground.
Work began mid January 2006 and the first phase – a kickabout pitch and the planting of hedging and wildlife area - was completed mid February 2006.
The group are now choosing play equipment and investigating other sources of funding for fencing and gates in order to improve child safety and security. They also plan an all weather path, seating for the infirm and disabled, a multi use games area, other equipment such as trim trail apparatus and practical works of art.
Helen said, “I am excited to be visiting the new play area and seeing all the new facilities. I am sure it will be a great asset for local children for generations to come.
“I am very impressed by the efforts that local people have made to improve their village. To have worked so hard and raised so much money is amazing, and really shows there is a great community spirit in Cotherstone.”
Before being elected to the House of Commons, Helen was Chair of the Children’s Play Council for England and Wales, which campaigns for all children to have access to good play opportunities and services. She recently set up the All-Party Group on Children’s Play in Parliament to raise awareness of the issues and press for better play facilities.
Helen added, “Play is not just about children having fun, it is also a very important way of learning. Good play facilities help children to be healthy, happy and creative.”
Filed under: Uncategorized on April 7th, 2006
