On Monday 20th May 2013, the Mayor of Chickerell Mr Robbie Dunster will be joined by the Chickerell @ Play community group, Head Teacher of Chickerell Primary Academy school and school children to plant a special tree at the Willowbed Field.
A children’s play area was opened in June 2011 after 2 years of tireless work by the local council and community who worked together to raise funds and build the playground in less than two years. With the design based on ideas from local young people, it cost over £80,000. The money was raised through Chickerell@Play, Chickerell Town Council and West Dorset District Council. It is managed and maintained by the town council.
The event will take place at 2pm on 20th May 2013. The Mayor will be joined by two young members of the community who helped to start the project:
· Billy Doonan, age 14 : Winner of Design Competition for play area
· Ellie Cleaver Coles, age 13 : Original idea for play area
Chickerell Mayor Mr Robbie Dunster said “It’s been wonderful to see how much the Chickerell community is using the facilities that it worked so hard to achieve. The play area is amazingly popular and still looks good. That shows has respectful Chickerell young people have been to their play area.”
Julie Cleaver, Chair of Chickerell@Play community group which raised over £12,000 towards the project, said: “ The children of Chickerell and their families have enjoyed the play facilities over the past 2 years. We have been very proud of our young people in the care and respect that they have shown to the equipment and the area. The playground has created a new “heart” in the centre of the village where families, friends and children can enjoy the area and have some fun. By planting a tree at the playground it will help us as a community remember the hard work of the fundraising group Chickerell@Play. The tree will be seen as a thank you to every person involved.”
