Business appeal to make play area safe

By Victoria Knowles

MOTHERS are calling for businesses in the Great Blakenham area to help them build a new, safer playground for their children.

The Great Blakenham Play Action Group, made up of concerned mothers in the area, is campaigning hard to get funding for new equipment as it says the current playground is unsafe and full of broken glass.

The group has also been writing to businesses in the area to see if they could sponsor some of the equipment.

Lisa Turner Smith, who has a 16-month-old daughter, is on the group's committee and believes they really need a new play area.

"There have been lots of new houses built in the area and that has brought young families with it. The current play area we have is dangerous and inadequate with broken glass all over the ground," said Mrs Turner Smith, of Hood Drive, Great Blakenham.

"We have been busy trying to raise money to make it a nice area to take children but there is a long way to go. We need about £30,000 and so we are appealing to businesses in the area to support us. We would like them to sponsor a piece of equipment and in return they could have a plaque mounted with their name on it.

"It would mean a lot to us as a community to get this playground and it would be nice to see the business community help it happen," she said.

Head of leisure and amenities at Mid Suffolk Council, Chris Frye, said they had been offering advice to the group.

"I have met with them and they told me that some of the equipment is old and in bad condition. The council can help with up to 50 per cent of the costs for the new equipment. Also we are very happy to give them any advice on fundraising and the type of equipment they should choose," he said.