A COMMUNITY group committed to improving child play facilities in Bishopsmead, Tavistock, has two reasons to celebrate this week.
The Bishopsmead Playpark Project Committee has successfully secured National Lottery funding worth almost £10,000 to go towards equipment such as fencing and picnic benches for the play area.
And play equipment for toddlers, including two cradle swings, a climbing frame and slide, are being installed this week, thanks to earlier funding.
The latest grant for £9,512 comes from the National Lottery?s New Opportunities Fund, distributed by the BTCV People?s Places award scheme in partnership with English Nature.
Tina Hurford, chairman of the playpark committee, was delighted with the award, which followed a lengthy application process.
?It?s absolutely brilliant to get this money,? she said. ?We were especially pleased because, unlike a lot of projects, we were awarded the amount we applied for.
?It has been three years of hard work for the committee so far, but this makes it all worthwhile.?
She said the grant would cover the costs of fencing, picnic tables, tree maintenance, shrub planting and the creation of a concrete square for playground games.
The toddlers? equipment, which is now being installed, has been paid for by a £5,000 grant from West Devon Borough Council, £2,000 raised by Tavistock?s McDonald?s restaurant, and £1,000 from Devon County Council.
To celebrate the new additions to the play area, the committee are holding a fun day there on Sunday (September 14), from 1pm to 4pm.
Attractions on offer will include a barbecue, trampoline, bouncy castle, penalty shoot out, face painting, hair braiding, splat-the-rat game, sweets, drinks and other stalls.
The event is being sponsored by Superwinch, Lynher Windows, Brandon Hire and Venton Enterprises.
Tina Hurford said the support of the community in turning up for fundraising events was always appreciated.
She said fundraising would continue in order to pay for swings and a climbing frame for the older children.