New Woodham Walter playground unveiled for community

The opening of a new playground facility at Bell Meadow in Woodham Walter has been announced by the parish council.

The playground was officially opened by councillor Penny Channer on Saturday (October 2) and has been said to represent a major achievement for the community.

A new playground was first considered four years ago with a working party of volunteers formed.

As part of the consultation process a questionnaire was sent out to villagers in 2018, who showed strong support for the project.

Fundraising was then launched a year later in August with the challenging task of raising more than £30,000 for the project.

The amount was successfully raised through generous donations, fundraising events and grant applications.

A total of £10,000 was received from the National Lottery Awards For All fund, and £10,000 from the Essex County Council’s Community Initiatives Fund.

The project also received £1,000 from the county council's Locality Fund awarded by Mrs Channer, and £2,500 from Essex Community Foundation.

Woodham Walter Parish Council and the playground working party have said they are delighted with the new facility for the village.

Despite the bad weather the opening event was supporting with 60 people gathering for the grand opening.

Children enjoying the new playground

During the ceremony chairman of the working party councillor Joanna Symons thanked the many independent businesses, organisations, families and individuals who have contributed and supported the project as well as those who have provided grants to achieve the major new facility.

After a countdown the first group of children to enjoy the playground ran to the new equipment.