It was a dreary and cold day, but on Saturday March 23rd 2024 the Summerseat community brought the sunshine to celebrate the grand opening of the brand new play area!
Councillor Liam James Dean had the honour of cutting the ribbon and officially declaring the play area open. This fantastic new addition to the village was made possible thanks to a joint funding effort by FCC Recycling UK (£99,350), Suez (£49,589), and Bury Council (£20,000).
A Project Driven by Community
Summerseat Village Collective (Emma especially) along with Proffitts have worked tirelessly to pull this project together. They not only secured the vital external funding but also actively involved the community in designing the play area, ensuring it caters to the needs and preferences of local children.
Saying Goodbye to the Old, Welcoming the New
The previous play area, improved by the council in 2014, was fully removed during October 2023 to make way for this exciting new development. Construction of the new facility then continued throughout the winter despite the wet weather. Carried out by J & D Jenkinsons of Brandlesholme, work involved new tarmacked perimeter paths, new safety surfacing, and installation of brand new play equipment.
A Rustic Playground for All Ages
The newly constructed play area boasts a charming rustic, wooden design that both complements the local surroundings and minimises environmental impact. Packed with exciting activities to encourage learning through play, the equipment includes:
A thrilling climbing frame
A toddler swing unit for the littlest adventurers
A classic basket swing
A spinning steel dish roundabout
A ground-level trampoline for safe bouncing fun
An aerial runway to spark imaginations
A challenging trim trail for budding athletes
Councillor Commends Sustainable Design
Councillor Alan Quinn, cabinet member for the environment, climate change and operations, couldn’t contain his enthusiasm: “This incredible play area is packed with exciting activities to support children to learn while they play. Made mostly of wood, it not only complements and blends in with the local surroundings, it’s also more sustainable with less impact on the environment.”
A Double Celebration
While the play area couldn’t be enjoyed during the winter months due to construction, the wait was certainly worth it! To add to the excitement, the celebration also included the lighting of the village Christmas tree, which had been lovingly decorated with Easter egg ornaments by the children of the local primary school. This creative solution ensures the tree brings joy throughout the year, even during its temporary absence from its usual spot.
The combined play area opening and tree lighting ceremony were a wonderful way for the Summerseat community to come together, celebrate our collective achievements, and look forward to a brighter future for the village.
Watch this interview with SVC Chair Emma Speed talking about this exciting project for Roch Valley Radio and listen to Councillor Liam James Dean giving his view.
Image credits: Roch Valley Radio, Wendy Turner-Hargreaves
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Summerseat Village Collective 