Military operation restores play areas to community

The almost-derelict play facilities at the Faircross and Curridge Piece estates were worn out by 30 years of use and were required to close over concerns for safety.
The sites are now home to an array of new equipment, from the traditional to more unique. Among them are swings, cone climbers, basket swings and climbing frames.
Around 50 people flocked, undeterred by pouring rain, to the official opening, when the chairman of West Berkshire Council, Adrian Edwards, cut the ribbon at the Faircross facility on Tuesday, November 20.
The unit welfare officer for the Hermitage camp, which houses 42 Engineer Regiment (Geographic), Maj (Rtd) Nick Collins, said: “This facility is not only for those living at the base but also for the benefit of the local community. The kids get a lot of buzz out of it.
“This is particularly important to those families who have loved ones deployed on operations and cannot manage to take the children off-site.
“The parks are focal points for our service families and are in constant use by children with military parents and those living in the local community.”
The new facility was funded by the Ministry of Defence and West Berkshire Council through the Armed Forces Covenant scheme.