The Playing Field Shropshire Playing Fields Association Newsletter Church Stretton Leisure Centre Summer 2010 After many years of aspiration it is pleasing to record that the new Church Stretton Leisure Centre was officially opened in April 2010. It will surely prove to be a great benefit both to the Church Stretton School and the local community. With a cost approaching 3M the project provides a range of state of the art facilities including a multi-purpose sports hall that can accommodate 4 badminton courts, a fitness suite with 18 pieces of gymnastic equipment, a dance studio available for a range of activity classes together with associated community changing areas. There is also an open entrance area with a reception desk and with drinks and snack vending equipment, as well as a general purpose meeting room available for courses and room hire. Outdoor facilities include 5 new tennis courts which can also be used for netball and other suitable sports activities and there is a link to the existing 20m. 4 lane swimming pool. Funding was combined for the different elements of the project from a variety of sources Shropshire Council, Sport England, Shropshire Access Partnership, South Shropshire District Council, Church Stretton School plus worthwhile contributions from the local community. These new facilities open up a whole range of sporting and cultural opportunity for the school and the local community and are to be greatly welcomed. Though the buildings belong to the Shropshire Council, the operational management of the Church Stretton Leisure Centre is being undertaken by Teme Leisure, part of South Shropshire Leisure Ltd which already operates other sites in South Shropshire. SPFA Olympic Evening Plans are well advanced for the SPFA s OLYMPIC EVENING which is to take place in the Council Chamber, Shirehall, Shrewsbury on Wednesday 1 December 2010 at 7.00 p.m. The event is being staged in conjunction with the Shropshire Historical Association, the Leisure Department of Shropshire Council and the Wenlock Olympian Society. The main feature of the evening will centre upon a presentation by the Wenlock Society. Members will give an illustrated talk outlining the important part played by Much Wenlock s William Brookes, the principal Founding Father of the Modern Olympic movement, and could include parts of the presentation which they gave to some elected Members of Parliament when plans for the bid for the 2012 Olympic Games were being made by Seb Coe and his team. Arrangements for the evening are being made by Derek Hayward, Chairman of SPFA. He is hoping to attract other speakers, sporting personalities and possibly a member of the London Olympic Organising Committee to the evening who will be able to bring members of the audience right up to date with topics relating to the organisation of the London Olympics in 2012. It is also hoped that there may be a photographic opportunity for members of the audience to be photographed with the Olympic torch used at the 1948 London Olympics. (Continued on page 2) 2. From the Secretary s Desk 3. Coalition government sets out its plans for the country 4. Play England reorganisation Accidental rope swing death says Coroner 7. Fields In Trust launch QEII 8. Continuing the debate on Outdoor Fitness Equipment Good idea or not? 10. Pesticide ban action 11. Focus on the RPII 13. RoSPA Playsafety News 15. Sustainable drainage SUDS Youth shelter wins Royal approval 17. IOG SALTEX 7-9 Sept 2010 18 FEATURE ARTICLE A New Partnership for Play RoSPA & PSS Live 19. Playbuilder transforming Shropshire Play 20. Playbuilder continued INSERTS Lightmain Leisure Children s Play Company Miracle Design and Play The Playing Field is published quarterly by the Oxfordshire Playing Fields Assoc. for the Shropshire Playing Fields Assoc. Shropshire Editor John Cuffley Tel. 01743 761332 Email: johnp.cuffley@virgin.net
2 The Playing Field SPFA MEMBERSHIP As a registered charity the SPFA depends on grant aid and financial assistance from a variety of sources. Some Borough, District, Town and Parish Councils support our activities by varying amounts and we are very grateful for their contributions. We also depend on voluntary help from numerous people to run the Association. To maintain our role and indeed to respond to needs as they arise we must look to build up our income. Membership of the SPFA is open to all organisations in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin including town and parish councils, voluntary groups, play organisations, sports clubs and indeed individuals who value our work and would like to support us. We give below suggested annual membership fees to join the Association. Parishes with a population up to 1500 25 Parishes with a population 1501 3500 35 Parishes, towns with over 3500 population. 1p per head Voluntary organisations 10 Individual members 10 If you are willing to contribute more that would be even better! SPFA wishes to acknowledge with thanks the invaluable assistance provided by the following organisations for material in this issue of The Playing Field newsletter: - OPFA, FIT, RoSPA, IOG, API, SAPCA, PSLG & ISPAL. The views expressed are not necessarily the views of SPFA. The inclusion of advertisements for products and services implies no endorsement by SPFA. From the Secretary s Desk SPFA Change of address Since the publication of our Spring Newsletter the SPFA has moved its office base from the offices of the Community Council of Shropshire with whom we have been associated for many years in College Hill, Claremont Bank and more recently at the Shrewsbury Business Park. However circumstances have changed. The SPFA s postal address is now: Shropshire Playing Fields Association c/o Dyke Yaxley & Co. Brassey Road, off Old Potts Way Shrewsbury, SY3 7FA. Telephone: Hon. Secretary, David Kilby on 01743 850943 or email davidkilby@ tiscali.co.uk SPFA Loan Scheme The SPFA has set up a loan scheme to help sports clubs and associations through difficult financial times particularly where a last minute injection of cash will enable a project to go forward and not have to be abandoned. The maximum loan available is 1000 and with a favourable rate of interest is repayable over a maximum period of four years. Further details on these matters can be obtained from SPFA Secretary s office. Telephone 01743 850943. New play facilities in Higher Heath The SPFA welcomes the initiative shown in Higher Heath led by Prees Parish Council in creating a new adventure playground in Manor House Lane for local children. Equipment provided includes a 6 metre activity net and climbing frame, swings and a separate toddler s area. It is proving to be very popular with local children, some of whom were involved in its planning. It has taken five years from start to completion with cash grants from Prees Parish Council, the BIG Lottery Fund, West Mercia Constabulary and North Shropshire Play Partnership. (Continued from page 1) SPFA Olympic Evening Derek predicts that there will be a great demand for tickets for the evening, particularly from those interested in the history of sport. Groups of A-level students are to be welcomed. When more details of the event have been finalised, tickets for the Olympic Evening will be offered to the public on 1 October 2010. Meanwhile, readers of this SPFA Playing Field Newsletter are offered special priority reservation of tickets by contacting Derek (derekhayward543@btinternet.com) and quoting this Newsletter, before that date. Tickets will be issued on a first come - first served basis. Shropshire Playing Fields Association Shropshire Playing Fields Association c/o Dyke Yaxley & Co. Brassey Road, off Old Potts Way, Shrewsbury SY3 7FA Hon. Secretary: David Kilby 01743 850943
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The Playing Field 19 PLAYBUILDER FUNDS HELP TRANSFORM SHROPSHIRE PLAY AREAS The necessity for more good quality play places is a high priority for both children and parents. In recognition of this the Department for Children, Schools and Families (now Department for Education) has made significant grant awards to local authorities in England. Shropshire has received a 1.2 million grant with a target of 22 new play areas designed for 8 to 13 year olds, to be completed by March 2011. In order to secure the funding, Shropshire had to submit its project proposals to DCSF in September 2008 against the backdrop of local government reorganisation. Staff from all six councils worked together to develop the bid which was based on the five district and borough play strategies. The bidding process required us to identify projects and so six initial schemes were specified, but we were determined to allow communities to put forward their projects rather than council officers prescribe where investment should take place. From April 2009, applications for Playbuilder funding have been flowing in from all around the county from parish councils, village hall committees, groups of parents and children and young people themselves. As ever, demand has been high and so a selection process had to be developed and a Play Partnership established to determine applications. One of the key elements of the Playbuilder programme is about putting challenge and risk back into play areas. Whether it be because play providers were risk averse, or maintenance budgets have been reduced, or we ve all just got into a rut about what a play area looks like, over the years the design of play areas has become increasingly standardised with parks managers (me included) pricing up the fence, safety surfacing, bench and bin first to work out how much money we have left for the actual play equipment. The equipment installed would often be very static and not very imaginative. Our consultation with children has shown us that many children, particularly the over 8s are bored of many of the county s play areas, so we have tried to put a bit of imagination back into the Playbuilder projects with bespoke pieces, using a range of surfacing including sand, and natural elements such as rocks and logs. Inevitably this has been more successful in some projects than others and there has been a steep learning curve for the team as each of the projects progress. The use of sand as a safety surface has been a brave decision as it does require more frequent maintenance to make sure it is free of litter or dog fouling. But as someone who grew up and then worked as a park ranger in Wigan where sand is used on all play areas, I know that we can overcome these issues and that is worth the extra effort so that children can play with every aspect of the play area, including the surfacing! The absence of fencing on some sites has been contentious due to people s concerns about dogs fouling play areas. I personally don t think we should waste valuable resources on costly fences so that a minority of dog owners can allow their dogs to run wild and foul anywhere. Surely we should be addressing the issue of those few irresponsible dog owners rather than penning children in behind a fence? An important aspect of the projects has been the involvement of local children and the wider community. Shropshire Council has worked in partnership with parish and town councils and local community groups to deliver these projects, with extensive consultation being carried to inform the design briefs and to select the final plans. Play England, who monitor the Playbuilder programme, have praised Shropshire for this inclusive approach. It hasn t all run smoothly. With the transition to a single council and the creation of a new team responsible for play areas, proper planning for the projects did not really get going until late spring. With the necessary lead in times, most construction was planned for over the winter. Had we had the kind of mild winter we have become used to this would not have been a problem, but the freezing temperatures and snow meant that most projects have been squashed into March and April. This has made it difficult for play area installation companies across the country and whilst it has been somewhat frustrating for us that some play areas have been delayed, we have had to be patient and understanding of the difficulties of the play companies. That said, it has been clear that on a couple of projects, the installation teams have rushed and the quality of work has suffered, so in some cases we have made alternative arrangements to complete projects using our own staff and parish council maintenance teams. A further play area is being installed at Severn Valley Country Park, Alveley, with completion due in June. During the development of the bid it became clear that 22 play areas in a county as large as ours was a mere drop in the ocean and that any aspiration to have a play area in every community was simply unachievable. However, we actually expect to complete more than 22 projects by matching play builder to S106 contributions and other funds so that as many communities as possible can benefit from new play areas. (Continued on page 20)
20 The Playing Field LOCAL SPORTS CONTACTS North Shropshire Andy Darlington 01939 257558 Andy.darlington@shropshire.gov.uk Central Shropshire Sean McCarthy 01743 255933 Sean.mccarthy@shropshire.gov.uk South Shropshire Becky Evans 01746 713227 Becky.evans@shropshire.gov.uk Telford & Wrekin Rachel Threadgold 01952 382334 Rachel.threadgold@telford.gov.uk SPORTS ADVISORY COUNCILS North Shropshire - Andy Darlington (see above) Central Shropshire - Sean McCarthy (see above) South Shropshire - Becky Evans (see above) Telford & Wrekin Clive Knight 01952 382889 Clive.knight@telford.gov.uk All sports clubs in the voluntary sector are recommended to affiliate to their local Sports Advisory Council which can not only offer useful advice in tackling the problems that arise, they provide a forum do discuss issue of common interest and they can identify possible funding sources for club development and for assisting talented individuals. PLAYBUILDER FUNDS HELP TRANSFORM SHROPSHIRE PLAY AREAS (Continued from page 19) 23) So what does the future hold after Playbuilder? We hope that the project will raise awareness about the importance of children s play and demonstrate that there is no such thing as a standard play area, and that a bit of extra thought can lead to stimulating, innovative and physically challenging play areas that our children really enjoy. As the funding dries up we will need to be more innovative about how we create playful spaces. Luckily for us, Shropshire is a creative county with communities that are prepared to fund raise and work together to improve their local areas. As local authority staff it will be even more important that we work with local communities to make sure that children in all communities have access to exciting play areas. Carolyn Healy, Parks and Countryside Sites Manager, Shropshire Council. To date play areas have been installed in the following areas: Wheatfield Recreation Ground, Shifnal The Playing Fields, Trefonen Little Drayton Recreation Ground, Market Drayton Birchmeadow Park, Broseley Town Green, Oswestry Tollgate Road, Ludlow Richard Robinson Playing Fields, Church Stretton Lodge Lane, Bridgnorth The Village Hall playing field, Hanwood Advert Parry Advert Parry Advert Parry Please fill space with Parry advert Parry Advert as APRIL 09