Play area pleasure (From Barry And District News)

Play area pleasure

A NEGLECTED Barry play area has been given a massive £80,000 new lease of life.

The site in Belvedere Crescent was derelict, overgrown and a hazard to local youngsters.

But now, thanks to a partnership between the Welsh Assembly Government, the Vale of Glamorgan Council and members of the Thompson Street Residents Association, children are having fun on brand new swings and slides.

Part of the Communities First initiative, the project is a nationwide Assembly programme designed to let residents in some of Wales' most deprived areas have a say in what happens in their community.

This prompted the Vale of Glamorgan Communities First Partnership, together with the Vale of Glamorgan Council, members of the Thompson Street Residents group and other local people, to identify the playground as an area in need of an upgrade.

The newly refurbished playground - also including a resurfaced football pitch and a picnic area - was unveiled in an official opening ceremony attended by dozens of local children keen to try out the new facility.

Special guests at the all-day event included Vale of Glamorgan Assembly Member Jane Hutt, Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Member for Community Safety Cllr John Thomas, and managers of the Vale Communities First initiative.

Entertainment at the event included a display by members of the Castleland Community Centre gymnastics group, a five-a-side football competition for children and a treasure hunt, won by local Vale of Glamorgan Council ward members!

Jenet Lockwood of the Vale Communities First Partnership said: "Residents felt the day was a resounding success.

"The Communities First Partnership hopes residents will continue to come forward with ideas and suggestions of the future."

Local parent Kelly Lambert, who attended the opening with four-year-old Sonny, added: "It's brilliant - there was nothing like this here before."