School children help get playground refurb underway

THE REFURBISHMENT of Guilden Morden playground is underway thanks to the help of local school children.

Pupils from Guilden Morden Primary School raised £437 by taking part in a sponsored obstacle course at the village show last September.

The money has been used as part payment for a trim trail - a series of wooden beams and climbing equipment - which was installed at the playground, on Guilden Morden recreation ground, two weeks ago.

Over £120,000 of grant funding has been raised over the last two years by the Phoenix project, a group of mums who came together because they wanted to improve the playground facilities in the village. The trim trail was also funded by £7,000 received from the Cambridgeshire branch of the Local Network Fund.

Rebekah Dolby, Chairman of Phoenix, said: "We are so grateful to the Local Network Fund for their generous donation and to the children of Guilden Morden primary school for all their efforts, which have enabled us to complete the first phase of our project by installing this fantastic new trim trail.

"With funding in place our plans are now being finalised and the village will see a whole range of play equipment for children from toddlers to teenagers being installed over the coming months. It really is a case of watch this space," she said.

Further plans for the playground include new swings and a multi games area with football goals and basketball hoops. The latter was requested by a group of teenagers from Guilden Morden consulted by Phoenix last year.

Sue Arnold, head teacher at Guilden Morden Primary School, said: "This seemed an ideal opportunity for the school and community to work together.

"The children put forward their designs for the obstacle course and it helped them to realise how much hard work is involved in a project like this.