Villagers in Stamfordham are working to raise £65,000 to give their run-down park a much needed makeover.
And in a matter of just months the Friends of Stamfordham Play Park group has raised an impressive £20,000.
The wooden climbing frame and swings neighbours Stamfordham First School and is thought to be at least 30 years old. And it is hoped that a revamped recreation space would also bring villagers in this tight knit community even closer together.
The Rev. Rachel Scheffer, a committee member of Friends of Stamfordham Play Park, said: “It just looks really run down and it’s not a place you would go to for longer than five minutes.
“Stamfordham used to have more facilities, more pubs and shops. Now there is just the church and the pub. There are no shops and no recreational space.
“People feel they have to travel to Hexham, Corbridge or Ponteland to find something to do.
“This would be somewhere people could go for recreation and enjoyment and to get to know each other.
“It would be one more thing to help us build the community here.”
The £65,000 plan for the park would see it dramatically improved, with a train shaped climbing frame, see-saws, rockers and a cradle seat swing as well as a picnic table and seating.
The group, made up of local parents, believes that over 200 children from the local area could benefit.
Through applying for charitable trust funding and grants, and organising coffee mornings and fun days, the Friends of Stamfordham Play Park group has so far raised just over £23,500.
Northumberland County Council Community Chest has given a grant of over £11,000 and local county councillor Veronica Jones has also contributed.
A fundraising fair will be held between 10am and midday in Stamfordham Village Hall on May 21, with a coffee morning and stalls from 10 local businesses.
People can also get involved by adding up to two names to a butterfly fence, for a minimum donation of £25.
Rachel said: “I hope we may be able to get the whole play park done by next spring. It’s a lot of work but there’s so much benefit, people are getting to know each other more already just through the fundraising.”
For more information or to get involved, contact Rachel on 01661 886853 or r.scheffer@newcastle. anglican.org
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