Its playtime for village younsters
About 18 months ago, a project team was formed, made up of local people, parents and the school’s headteacher, to build a play area for the village, the school and the surrounding villages.
Parent and member of the committee, Hayley Brown, who lives in Wickham, said that the closest play area was in neighbouring Boxford, which was three-mile bike ride away, on a route that wasn’t safe.
“We wanted to get a play area for the parish and for the primary school, one that was central to
the community, so that when the children finish school they can go straight up there,” she said.
Pupils were consulted on what they wanted included and a design was picked that included equipment for children of all ages and abilities.
As the group missed out on funding from the now defunct government Playbuilder funding scheme by about two months, the team had to raise the £15,000 needed. Funding came from groups including Greenham Common Trust, Berkshire Community Foundation/Give a Child a Chance and a Parish Plan grant.
Mrs Brown added: “It’s so nice to see the children up there.
“I’ve seen children from the village who don’t go to the school, so they are able to play there too.
“It’s made it all worth it.”
