TWO and a half years of hard work have culminated in a new playground for Whaddon. A giant pair of scissors were enlisted to help youngsters open the new facilities at the village recreation ground. Neil Gallery, who helped co-ordinate the project, said

TWO and a half years of hard work have culminated in a new playground for Whaddon.

A giant pair of scissors were enlisted to help youngsters open the new facilities at the village recreation ground.

Neil Gallery, who helped co-ordinate the project, said: "Originally the play area had just four swings, a slide that filled with water, and an old climbing frame.

"But the ever increasing number of children in the village led to the community rolling up its sleeves and doing something about it.

"The benefits of having a modern play area are well documented. Children have somewhere to go, a sense of ownership and 'belonging' to the community, and not least a play area means that we, the parents, know where our children are."

The Whaddon playground formed two years ago, and since then has raised over �70,000 to pay for a zip slide, trim trail, climbing walls, and much more besides.

Mr Gallery said the group were particularly pleased to receive �30,000 from Cambridgeshire County Council's Play Pathfinder scheme, as well as contributions from other bodies such as South Cambridgeshire District Council and Whaddon Parish Council.

He added: "It's been a massive community effort, with everybody chipping in. We're so grateful for all the financial support we've received because it has enabled us to do everything we wanted.