Play area is revamped

They were sparked into action at Baldocks Lane when Melton Council decided to remove of the children’s equipment two years ago because of its age.

A committee was formed nine months ago to work alongside council officials in a bid to re-stock the play area.

On Wednesday (October 19) a Room on the Broom Story Hunt Adventure, based on the popular Julia Donaldson children’s book, will be held at the play area at 11am.

A cake sale and raffle is planned, as well as lots of fun activities, to help pay for more equipment there. Parents are invited to bring cakes to sell.

A donation of £1,000 has been made from the MARS in the Community fund while the Tesco community scheme ensured the fence was painted at the play area.

Jo Frederick, whose two young children play on the equipment, is part of the fundraising committee.

She said: “Our play area is one of the bigger ones in Melton.

“The equipment that was there before must have been 30 years old, dating back from when it was a new Wimpey Estate.

“The council had to take most of it away in the summer of 2015 and slowly we are replacing it but there are still gaps.

“We’ve been working with the council, who have put in new equipment, and we are making progress.”

The group approached pupils at nearby Sherard Primary School to find out wheat equipment they would like.

Jo said: “We had responses from 170 children and they wanted the teen swing and the tunnel which we have there now. The MARS money will go towards a trim trail (a mini obstacle course for children).”

The group has also applied for money from the Aviva Community fund - public votes in support can be made from October 21.