YOUNG people in Pebworth now have a modern place to play thanks to £70,000 from Wychavon’s Community Legacy Grant scheme.
Pebworth Parish Council successfully applied for the money to replace the village’s timber framed play area, which was almost 20 years old.
Key pieces of play equipment had already been removed because of safety concerns and without the new investment, there was a real risk the popular play area would fall into disuse.
With the grant, the parish council has been able to install modern play equipment including a playhouse with slide, walking beams, and a new zip wire.
The new play area was officially opened at a ceremony on Friday, 14 July by parish councillor Coun Jodi Cotton, who opened the original play area when she was just ten. She was helped by Hettie Neal, who at ten is currently the oldest member of Pebworth First School and Texas Swift, who is aged five and the school’s youngest pupil.
Coun Cotton said: “Opening the new play area, having opened the original one all those years ago, was a great privilege and a special moment. It’s a great facility and it will be well used by young people in the village.”
Cllr Richard Weller, chairman of Pebworth Parish Council, said: “We’re really grateful to Wychavon for their support and together we have been able to transform and revitalise a vibrant community asset.”
Coun Robert Raphael, chairman of Wychavon who supported the opening as part of his 50th anniversary tour of the district, said: “I was delighted to be able to attend the opening of Pebworth’s new play area and to see the difference our Community Legacy Grant funding is making to residents across the district.”
Wychavon’s Community Legacy Grant scheme was launched in 2018 and more than £4million has already been invested in 40 projects across 31 parish and town council areas in the district.
