News

Shepway Council has successfully secured £235,842 from the Big Lottery Fund to help give children a better chance to play.

The money will fund three projects aimed all aimed at improving play opportunities for children from pre-school age to 18.

• The Mobile Activity Programme (MAP) will target 14 rural and most deprived wards in the district. Throughout the school holidays, the MAP will take a range of activities to different areas. Youngsters will be able to try their hand at circus skills, art, crafts and sport.

• The second project aims to ensure that disabled and able-bodied children have the chance to integrate through play. Fairplay will set up play areas in Oakham Drive in Lydd, Seabourne Way or Country's Field in Dymchurch and St Mary's Bay, Fairfield Recreation Ground in New Romney and Bradstone Road and Radnor Park in Folkestone.

• The third project is designed to get more children to play outdoors, develop self esteem and provide a chance for more adventurous play. The Challenge project will help fund new and better equipment at Brabner playing field in east Folkestone and Lyminge Recreation Ground.

The award to Shepway is part of a £7.8 million in funding package for 36 projects across the South East that focus on providing safe, quality play opportunities for children.

Big Lottery Fund Head of South East Region, Alison Rowe, announced the South East's Christmas play awards from BIG's £124 million Children's Play programme:

"This is great Christmas news for our children. The Fund recognises the health, well-being and fitness opportunities that good play facilities can bring - we want to help move children into safe and imaginative play surroundings. And we also want to encourage communities to recognise the value and benefits of play for their children, and to ensure that everyone, including those with disabilities, can enjoy these facilities."

Cllr William Richardson, Shepway's Cabinet Member for Sports, Leisure, and Technical Services, said he was delighted that Shepway had secured the funding.

"It shows that the projects we submitted were well thought of by the Big Lottery Fund. News of this award is a great boost to our plans."

New Romney Town Councillor, Patricia Rolfe, of the Shepway Play Partnership - which helped prepare the bid - said: "This is fantastic news for all children in Shepway. Following months of research, consultation and preparation, the three projects will benefit both urban and rural areas right across the district. This heralds an exciting year ahead as we can now begin implementation of each of the schemes."