Volunteers needed for play area project

Parents of young children living on the eastern side of Coalpit Heath currently have to cross the busy Badminton Road to get to a play area. Could you help organise the renovation of the play area at the Manor Hall to help fix this problem? If you are interested, please get in touch with Alison Allan on 07873 747513. The Frome Vale Area Forum awarded £500 to get the project started.

New aerial runway at The Park

Young people in Frampton Cotterell said an aerial runway was their top priority for new equipment in our parks when Village Action surveyed local schools, clubs, scouts, guides and other groups. The household surveys also showed that people wanted more adventurous equipment, with Kingsgate Park, Yate being held up as an example.

Frampton Cotterell Parish Council agreed at their meeting on Monday 16 May that the runway should be installed at The Park, School Road next to the existing play area after Beesmoor Road Playing Field Committee decided they could not accommodate it there.

Pat and Dave Hockey have used part of the funding that they have been allocated to spend in their Frampton Cotterell Ward to pay for the runway after their own recent survey had indicated substantial support across the Parish from residents who felt the quality of our play facilities locally is poor in comparison to other areas.

The photograph shows the supports for the cable that were cemented in place on Thursday 19 May ready for the cable to be installed early in the week commencing Monday 23 May. The runway will be risk assessed to ensure it is safe before it is commissioned for use.

The new Beat Manager for Frampton Cotterell, Finbar Simmons, has been asked to keep an eye on the runway when it goes into use ahead of half term since it is likely to be popular with local youngsters and we want to ensure that local residents are not disturbed, especially after dark.

The runway has been positioned more than 60 metres away from the nearest properties to minimise the risks of disruption to residents – the suppliers and installers state that a distance of at least 20 metres is required.

Pat and Dave hope that local children and families will have a lot of fun using the ‘Cablerider’.

Extract from the Village Action report showing that a zip wire/aerial runway was the top priority among young people for new play area equipment

Play time for under 5s in Westerleigh

 New equipment for toddlers and pre-schoolers has been installed in the play area in Westerleigh.

Claire Young said, “Last year local parents told me the play area was lacking equipment for younger children. So I was delighted to be able to use some of the money allocated to councillors from the transfer of the council houses to Merlin to help the Parish Council buy this new equipment.”

Other contributions from Claire’s share of the money have gone towards a new bench for the playing field and a sign for the village pound, both of which have been ordered by the Parish Council, and new items for the village hall kitchen. In Dodington Parish, plans are underway for planting a new community orchard at Wapley Bushes.

Wickwar children's play area officially opened

The much enlarged children’s play area on the King George V Playing Field in Wickwar has now been officially opened. A total of £42,000 has been spent on the area which was jointly funded by the Government Playbuilder Scheme (administered by South Gloucestershire Council) and The Lottery, with a small amount left over from the SGC Housing Revenue Account.

The equipment installed is for a range of ages and the added excitement that this gives is much appreciated by the children. There is now more reason than ever for Mums and Dads to walk their children up to the field for some fresh air and exercise.

New adventure play area for Coalpit Heath

You may have read in the Gazette that a project to create a new adventure play area at Newman's Field off Ram Hill near Coalpit Heath will go ahead after winning £35 000 of lottery funding.

Karen Mitchell, Chair of Friends of Newman's Field, had the idea for the project and it is being led by Westerleigh Parish Council's Newman Field Committee. The funding forms part of a successful bid by South Gloucestershire Council for £454,400 to provide better access to play, better quality play areas and help children to feel safe playing outside.