New play equipment for Burghclere

Parish councillors voted at a meeting at the Portal Hall recently in favour of a £28,250 estimated bid for the work by Playground Services of Hungerford, following consultations with villagers and after several different design options had been displayed in the Portal hall for villagers’ viewing.
The new equipment will replace the old on a playground situated between the Portal Hall and Burghclere Sports Club.
It comprises an escapade with slide (£11,283), playdish roundabout (£1,258), falling star springy (£774), cone climber (£3,418) duo seesaw (£1,169) seven element trail (£5,202) and slab hopscotch (£248).
Additional costs for associated work included in the estimate include the removal of a Wickstead unit (£460), bark (£150), concrete edger (£245), the infill of top soil and seed (£1,135), the installation of grass lock tiles (£2,738), and Heras fencing (£200).
The Hungerford firm beat off opposition from four others to secure the deal, including bids from Monster Play (£28,250) Komplan, (£28,250) Sovereign (£29,958) and Playdale (£28,250).
The parish councillor overseeing the project, Cliff James, said that as an installer of playground equipment, rather than a manufacturer, Playground Services, who installed the old equipment about 20 years ago, could cherry-pick items.
He said that the company provided the best value for money and was also convenient in that it was local to the area, should they come across any problems.
It was also agreed at the meeting that Playground Services should source a rustic slide to replace one shown in the design on display at the meeting.
Mr James said: “It was felt that a more rustic-looking slide would fit in better with the rural setting.”
It was agreed to prepare the ground at the site this month.
Financial contributions of approximately £29,000 for the equipment came from a Bewley Homes development, situated opposite the Sports Club, in Harts Lane, Burghclere.