News. . . .
August 1st, 2009
Emlyn Playground Secures a further £4,000 grant for ‘Sky Surfer’ equipment
…and has a visit from the Children’s Commission for Wales
True to its promise to keep adding to its new playground, Newcastle Emlyn’s King George V Playing Field Association committee has successfully secured a further £4,000 in grant aid, which has been earmarked specifically for a new piece of equipment for older children. The CAVS grant will be spent on a Sky Surfer (pictured) – a surfing system for older kids, designed to improve fitness as well as being great fun.
The latest move comes as part of the latest plans for the playground, to provide equipment for a wide range of ages and interests.
In keeping with this plan, the playground committee yesterday welcomed the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Keith Towler to the site, at the invitation of Cllr Fiona White, who helped secure the latest round of funding. Unable to attend the official opening of the new playground in May this year, Mr Towler kept his promise to visit and see the great work that has been achieved over the last year.
Mr Towler is a very influential figure in promoting children’s interests across Wales, and used the visit to gather feedback from children and teens in the playground about the facilities that are lacking in the town. He took particular interest in the lack of teen facilities, such as a youth club, and went away with a series of notes on the subject.
“It is fantastic to know that we have a voice for the teenagers of the town,” enthused Patricia Murphy, who has long championed the cause of this age group in Newcastle Emlyn. “If we could provide a new youth club for them, this would go a long way in giving them somewhere to go and something to do.”
Plans were mooted for a public meeting to be held in September, aimed specifically at the teen age group. “Mr Towler thought this was an excellent idea, and said he would be delighted to come back and hear what young people want and need in this area,” said Sue Tabbitt, another active member of the King George V Playing Field Association, who proposed the forum.
In the meantime, the existing ‘Bird’s Nest’ swing has been taken down temporarily, while the frame is re-secured. Age-related signage will be installed shortly, encouraging ‘reasonable use’ of all equipment.
The King George V Playing Fields Association committee can be contacted at: email kgv.playingfield@btinternet.com tel: 0560 249 5881.