YOUNGSTERS from Charvil Piggott Primary School were able to enjoy fun and games in a newly upgraded play space.
Charvil Parish Council members welcomed the youngsters to East Park Farm playground, to sample the new play equipment recently installed by the council for children to spin, climb and swing on.
And the children’s verdict? A definite thumbs up.
Year 6s and their reception buddies were able to enjoy a pre-opening play date, when the space was officially opened last week.
“They said it was a great improvement, and enjoyable for all the children,” said a council representative.
“They were particularly taken with having more swings, and the younger ones enjoyed the roundabouts.”
The previous equipment was at least 25 years old, and designed for toddlers.
Given the proximity of the Charvil Piggott Primary school, Charvil Parish Council chose to replace it with a playground that would be suitable for the whole primary school.
It cost £111,000, with £20,000 given by the National Lottery, £5,500 donated by The Polehampton Trust, and the remainder provided by the Community Infrastructure Levy.
This is a charge which can be levied by local authorities on new development in their area, and is an important tool for local authorities to use to help them deliver the infrastructure needed to support development in their area.
The refurbished play space was opened by Cllr Pat Sutlieff, lead councillor for East Park Farm, and Cllr Matt Walker, chair of the Parish Council.
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“We have worked with the school children and their parents to provide something that they and their successors will enjoy for many years to come,” said the council representative.
“It was wonderful to see so many people at the park after school, and we were blessed with dry weather for the opening, which was a bonus.”
The Parish Council thanks the school for its input into what play equipment would be popular, Ricky Josey of Wokingham Borough Council for his advice, the National Lottery, and the Polehampton Trust for providing the funds to top up the Community Infrastructure Levy.
Finally, they thank Infinity Playgrounds, which they say has been a pleasure to work with from producing the initial designs, to the opening event when Infinity even provided sweets and fruit for the children to enjoy.
Councillor Sutlieff, who has been campaigning to modernise the play space for several years, said: “I am so happy that my persistence has paid off, and that we finally have a playground for the village to be proud of.”
The new playground is now fully open for children to explore.
For information, visit: charvilparishcouncil.gov.uk and gov.uk
