Children and parents living in and around the village of Barnstone have two reasons for celebrating the end of lockdown – not only are the children now less restricted about going out to play, they also have a transformed play park to enjoy, right on their doorstep.
Thanks to a donation of almost £20,000 from Tarmac’s Landfill Communities Fund*, the Parish Council and Play Park Committee has been able to make the most of the quiet lockdown time to complete Phase 1 of a ‘Vision for the Future’ of the play area.
Phase 1 has included replacing outdated equipment and refurbishing some existing equipment for the 2–11-year-old age group.
Stephanie Walker, local resident and organiser of the Play Park Committee said: “With so much disappointment for children at the moment with lockdown and being isolated from friends, it is fantastic that that we have been able to provide a new place and something local children can enjoy. We are excited for Phase 2 and to see how we can include the community in the project with the ideas we have.”
Tim Hotchin of Tarmac’s nearby Barnstone cement plant added: “It was fantastic to go along and see the new Play Park busy with children really enjoying using all the new equipment. We are delighted that Tarmac was able to support this fantastic scheme through its Landfill Communities Fund, and to see what a big difference it is making to the local community in Barnstone.”
To ensure the play equipment met the needs of local children, the Parish Council firstly carried out a consultation on its plans with parents through Langar Primary school and Barnstone Under 5’s Group.
The Committee will now work on finding funding for and progressing with Phase 2 of their Vision which will involve additional climbing and swing equipment to extend the range of play available.
*The Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund (or Landfill Tax Credit Scheme as it was formerly known) enables landfill operators like Tarmac, to donate part of their annual tax liability to enrolled Environmental Bodies for a variety of approved community and environmental projects. Landfill operators can reclaim 90% of their contribution as a tax credit which means the remaining 10% must be provided either by them or an independent third party. Through the fund Tarmac donates around £1 million each year to community projects throughout the UK. The fund is open to applicants who meet the strict criteria for projects delivering community benefit. For more information, please go to www.entrust.org.uk
Picture caption: Celebrating the completion of Phase 1 of the Barnstone play park development – left to right: Sharon Ellis, Parish clerk, Langar Cum Barnstone Parish Council; Tim Hotchin, Tarmac Barnstone Production manager; Niki Heath, Tarmac Barnstone HR; Claire Pegg, local resident, Stephanie Walker, local resident and organiser of the play park committee.