West Norfolk volunteers come to rescue of semi-wrecked play area
A group of volunteers have come together to help support a parish council and the wider village community.
The children’s play area at East Winch has fallen into a state of disrepair and is hardly fit for purpose.
Old tyres and worn-out equipment provide no incentive for the local children to use the facility.
The parish council has offered support for the facility and one group of residents felt that more should be done to rebuild and update the play area.
“We know the members of the parish council are stretched financially and in terms of human resources,” said the group’s chairperson Sam Adkins.
“So eight of us have come together to plug the gaps in the parish council provision.
“By being a small group, with a number of skill-sets, and not restricted by day-to-day Council business we are able to be dynamic and active and hopefully to get speedy results.”
The group, named the Friends of East Winch and West Bilney has set a time frame of 10 months to get the funding necessary to overhaul parts of the play area.
Through a combination of fundraising events, local sponsorship, donations and grants, the target is £16,800. This will buy a multi-activity frame, which will replace much of the worn-out equipment.
Prior to launching the project, the group conducted a survey of local residents to gauge the level of support for the project. The response was overwhelmingly positive.
That, combined with general UK-wide concerns about children not being active enough or getting fresh air and quality playtime was enough to persuade the group that action was required.
“We want to create an area that the whole village can enjoy,’ said Mr Adkins. “The parish council are funding a bench for the area and we hope that our play area and the surrounding playing field will be an area where children and young people can be active in a safe, fun and attractive environment.”
The first fundraising event is a car boot sale on Sunday, September 22, 11am to 1pm at East Winch Village Hall.
For more information or to book a table at £5, contact Lisa Papworth on lisapapworth5@gmail.com.
