Spooner Row Message Board

When will the play area be reopened?

Will Mr Halls please update us on what is happening with the young childrens play area?  It has been over 2 weeks and no update since closure.

Although it could be argued that for COVID reasons it stays shut it was done this time because the 'safety' surfaces have become very slippery again . Previously a child fell over and cut their head. This resulted in a big clean up but the moss etc has returned so we are looking at this again and had no choice but to shut it down as a consequence.

We regret this loss of facility  but really feel we have no choice 

Hardly a COVID hotspot a small village playground. Under lockdown rules outdoor playgrounds can remain open.  A sign asking only one social bubble at a time in the area and some Hand gel would fulfill requirements.

What big clean up?  I live opposite and it hasn't been touched in months.  Last summer someone came to remove the weeds and swept up.  Then I saw the men repairing the play fort but no regular cleaning or serious attempt to clear the moss.  Needs to be pressure washed. 

The area was cleaned and pressure washed by councillors doing this in their own time and with their own resources and to say otherwise is to be frank offensive and wrong.

If you as anon want to clean the area, I will let you have the key and this would be a general and welcome service to the community

The surface is not the best but we are stuck with it for the time being and I am sure any attempt to recover any replacement cost from WTC would be given very short shrift.

We are looking at a regular contract to clean and maintain the area but are in the process of replacing the swing seats as one had broken, so until this has been done, it will remain  closed and cleaning will not happen until that has been completed.  

Constructive critiscism is always welcome as we cannot be everywhere all the time but please remember Councillors give their time freely and are NOT paid but will always respond to issues where we have the powers to intervene and it is clearly our responsibility to do so.

As someone with children and a dog who live close by, we use the playing field almost daily.  I don't remember seeing the play area clean enough to suggest that it had been pressure washed last year.  If it was then why did the moss come back so fast forcing this closure?  If those responsible for the play area can't or won't look after it maybe a few of us that use the playing field might just get together and ask Councillor Halls for the key.  Youngsters in this village don't have much play equipment as it is.

Well this seems to be attracting several comments so let me advise on the present situation as well as measures already taken. 

Councillor Hewitson and myself spent several hours clearing the small childs play area. We washed down the slide, climbing wall and swings. We swept the safety flooring and pressure washed it using materials and equipment of our own.

We have submitted a proposal to Council for contracted maintenance and cleaning, and this will commence in the Spring. The contractors advised there was no point cleaning the area during this unprecedented time of heavy rainfall.

We have responded to the broken cradle seat and this is in hand.

Rest assured the maintenance of the play area is very much on our radar.

I hope this clarifies the position to everyone.

Does it really matter if the Head of Governors is also a Community Councillor? I am grateful to him and to the others who washed down the play area.

Any update on reopening the play area?  I walked down with my granddaughter this morning to find it was still shut and looking unloved.  Such a shame.

Why would there be? Many people sit on several boards and declare that fact. I am pleased Mr Lemon takes an interest and participates in our community.

It is disappointing that the play area has once again been closed. All communities should have access to a safe play space for the young children of the village and it really should not be taking this long to get it sorted . Why for the time being, could the see saw not be cordoned off so at least our little ones could have some fun on the other equipment . I was always in full support of having our own council however I do feel that the upkeep of the village in general has some what deteriorated for this . I hope that the play area repairs will become a top priority with Spring and Summer coming . 

Martyn and myself have replaced all the damaged parts so we now have two brand new and safe seats and two new see saw seats so the area is now open

Thank you for your work on getting the replacement parts and opening the play area. We enjoyed taking our 6 month son there for the first time last week :) 

I am pleased to report that the small play area has now been cleaned and treated by our contractors. Hopefully the moss will stay away for much longer. This is of course depended on many factors, in particular the weather! 

We want all children to be safe at all times, so please do continue to report damage or any other areas concerning this facility.

3 days ago I attached a small bungy cord to the gate to provide a low cost solution to prevent dogs entering the site and keep the gate shut.

The following day someone had undone the the cord and left it loose thereby defeating its primary purpose and yesterday the cord itself had been stolen and the gate was left ajar

It was not difficult to unhook, deliberately so

comments please

Even if it was a temporary measure, who thinks they can come in and take it? It was there for a reason.