YOUNGSTERS in Bere Alston can enjoy swinging, climbing and other activities in a more safe environment thanks to the completion of the first phase in a revamp of the village’s play park.

A small group — Bere Alston Recreation Parks (BARP) — comprising residents and parish councillors, was formed to undertake an overhaul of the outdated play park.

Phase one, for younger children, has now been successfully completed thanks to a Big Lottery Awards for All grant of £10,000 and lots of fundraising and donations, which totalled around £25,000.

The group — Kate Medhurst, Natasha Holland-Medhurst, Laura Wheeler, Cllr Hilary Boot-Hansford and Cllr Dave Pengelly — decided to do something to revamp the play park, which was over two decades old.

Dave Pengelly said: ‘The play park is 20 years old and was getting a bit old and tatty and needed something doing to it. The surface wasn’t very good and wheelchairs couldn’t get in over the grass.

‘A few of us got together to form the charity Bere Alston Recreation Parks and we’ve raised money and refurbished some of the play park, together with Bere Ferrers Parish Council.

‘Phase one is now complete, which is mainly for younger children. We’ve replaced all of one end of the play park with an all new rubber surface, we’ve installed a wheelchair accessible roundabout, some new swings, a climbing frame, a slide, a boat and a ladder — all new equipment.’

The park was closed for around six weeks while the work was being undertaken and the group has had a lot of positive feedback from the improvements.

Dave said: ‘We’ve had an awful lot of feedback — everything good. We’re really pleased with the feedback we’ve received. We did have one complaint however, from a parent who was up there for four hours and her child still didn’t want to go home!’

Chair of Bere Ferrers Parish Council Richard Leithall said: ‘It’s fantastic to have the new play equipment and the fundraising by BARP has been outstanding. My grandchildren have used the park and they love it.’

Dave expressed thanks to all who contributed and helped with the project.

BARP will now be starting the next phase of the project, which will cater for older children. The group hopes to fix-up and refurbish the equipment that is already in place and add a few more apparatus to encourage fitness and healthy attitudes among the youngsters, as well as laying down appropriate flooring and making the area safe.