Playing Fields

As most local residents are aware various pieces of playground equipment are starting to appear on the village playing field. Below is a brief history of the story so far.

Some 5 years ago the Parish Council, as tenants of the land, identified the need for playground equipment for the many children in the village. We therefore began the search for funding and to cut a long (a very long!) story short we eventually received a grant of £9,000 from Yorventure, who are the charitable arm of Yorwaste. Funding is only available for either environmental or community projects within a 5 mile radius of a rubbish tip, in our case Rufforth, and it was on these grounds we fortunately qualified. The help and advice of County Councillor Chris Metcalfe in guiding us past the many blind alleys and dead-ends at this stage was very  gratefully received. Just over £1,000 has been raised by voluntary fundraising and the Parish Council will provide the rest – approx £2,000 - £3,000.

A sub-committee of the Parish Council has been set up, comprising Edward Barker and myself from the Council plus Andrew Inglis, Helen Spencer and Tracy Brookes. Our function is to oversee both the financial side of the project as well as the provision of the equipment.

The equipment to be provided is a double bay of swings with seats for both younger and older children, an ‘Imp Playstation’, a ‘Honeycomb Whirl’ roundabout, an adventure trail for older children

In order to keep costs down a  woodchip safety surface has been chosen (a rubberised surface would have cost as much as the equipment) and the equipment is being erected by volunteers from the village.

As there is much still to do the next sentence you will notice is written in large bold letters!!

Volunteers to help with the remaining construction of the equipment will be very welcome - Please contact any member of the committee if you can help.

Colin Parker

Bilbrough Playing Field Committee

29th June 2004.