Introduction
We are a group of three 'mums' of village children who recognised the need to refurbish the existing playground site adjacent to the village school around nine years ago and set out with purpose and drive to do just that! Since then we have raised in excess of £35,000 to refurbish the playground with play and sports equipment which now includes a set of five-a-side goal posts, a see saw, a set of flat swings and cradle swings, a roundabout, two toddler springers and basket ball hoop in addition to signage and seating. The equipment installed was chosen in response to consultation undertaken with the village children through the primary school, youth club and with children in the streets and at the bus stop and very much reflects their wishes and needs.

Last year South Hams District Council identified that the two original pieces of equipment - the climbing frame and slide - are in such a state of disrepair that they will need to be removed and their replacement programmed. As a result of this notification we undertook another consultation period with the village children once again along with a request for comments through the village life. This identified that the children wanted willow dens, climbing and physical activities and that they very much enjoyed the slide.

We have put an application in to the Community Spaces Big Lottery Fund for some grant aid and have secured funding from County for £2,000 and £3,000 from South Hams District Council. It is proposed that we will provide additional seating, some logs/stepping stones, a multi activity climbing frame, new fencing to replace the damaged chain link fencing, willow dens and a new embankment slide.

We would welcome any comments on the proposals and/or suggestions you have for the playground and the equipment or activities you would like installed. We would also very welcome new committee memembers as we are now just three.

Please send your comments to me at jj151@rocketmail.com or post them here. All comments will be viewed at committee and used to determine the exact nature of the equipment to be installed later this year/early next year. Comments should be submitted by 14th April please

Following attendance at the village brunch and several discussions with children and parents, it became clear that not everyone is aware that the playground next the school is open to all villagers. There is open access to the this play facility from Riverdale at all times of the day so please feel free to use it at any time. There are benches and a picnic table also so why not take a picnic?

On another matter, we are desperate for new committee members. As we are now coming to the end of the refurbishment project the playground will merely need keeping an eye on to ensure maintenance or vandalism issues are reported to the council and that litter is cleared up regularly along with dog mess if there is any (though there shouldn't be!). The committee will probably only need to meet around four times a year and that's about it. There won't be any fund raising or major events to be organised as all the hard work has now been done. Unfortunately, the three remaining committee members now have children who are too old to use the playground so we really need some fresh blood to take this up and continue to work with the parish council to ensure this facility is maintained for generatioons to come. Any queries please give me a ring on 01803 732496. Jane