Children living in Peasedown St John can look forward to four summer play days this August, thanks to the generosity of one of the village’s Bath and North East Somerset Councillors.
Cllr Karen Walker (Independent), who also serves as the Vice-Chair of Peasedown St John Parish Council, has donated £800 from her Initiative Fund to the Residents’ Association to pay for educational activities for children.
Karen said: “When my four boys were young, they liked nothing more than being outside during the summer holidays.
“Six weeks of no school certainly needs to be filled with educational and recreational activities that keep children stimulated.”
The full £800 has been given to the Residents’ Association who decided to use the money to pay for the Wansdyke Play Association, also known as the Play Rangers, to run Tuesday afternoon play sessions on The Green in Frederick and Albert Avenues.
Karen added: “The Green is such a crucial part of community life for many of us in Peasedown. From the time when I grew up in Frederick Avenue in the 1970s, to today, there have often been summer play days for children.
“I’m pleased therefore to have been able to provide funding for activities to continue for another year.”
Peasedown St John Residents’ Association have been working closely with the Wansdyke Play Association in recent months to plan the summer events.
Association Secretary, Mandy Clarke, said: “We wanted to make sure that the £800 could be spent on a wide range of activities so children with all kinds of hobbies and interests would find something for themselves during the school break.
“We are very pleased with the variety of activities during August, thanks to the willingness of the Play Rangers to try different things.”
Summer Play Sessions will be held on The Green in Peasedown St John on four Tuesdays; 2nd August, 9th August, 23rd August and 30th August from 2.00pm-4.00pm each week (Note: no session on 16th August).
Play sessions will cover:
- Nature play;
- Den building;
- Games and sports;
- Cooking.
Stuart Rouse, Wansdyke Play Association project coordinator, added: “The Play Rangers have been providing play sessions for children in Peasedown for well over 10 years. We’ve built up strong, positive relationships with local families and know the community well.
“Our funding each year is often thanks to the generosity of charitable trusts and fund raising. We are grateful this year to Cllr Karen Walker and the Residents’ Association who are funding August’s play days.”
All sessions are free, with the Residents; Association also providing tea, coffee and refreshments on The Green for parents/carers who want to come along too.
Children can turn up for any of the sessions listed from 2nd August, starting at 2.00pm on The Green.
Wansdyke Play Association will be delivering information leaflets to homes on the estate throughout July.
