THREE years of fantastic memories for West Devon's children have been funded by a £200,000 Big Lottery Fund grant awarded to West Devon Borough Council in 2008.

Children across the borough have been given thousands of opportunities to play, thanks to free activities, events and trips funded by the grant.

More than 3,500 children and young people have enjoyed activities including sport, arts and crafts sessions after school, caving, tree surfing and horse riding trips. Other free activities have included BMX and skate events, climbing, mountain biking and surfing. For teenagers there were youth club style sessions and trips to the theatre, as well as ice skating and snow tubing.

These opportunities were all delivered through the Really Playing in West Devon project which aimed to take play and other activities into the heart of our rural communities, making use of local facilities and play spaces.

The project also provided transport to take children on large group trips further afield to broaden their horizons while having fun. These included destinations such as the Eden Project, Paignton Zoo, Plymouth National Marine Aquarium and other theme parks and attractions.

The Really Playing in West Devon project has brought Devon Youth Service, Okehampton Community Recreation Association, Princetown Pavilion Youth Club and Tavistock Youth Café together to work in partnership with West Devon Borough Council to provide the free play opportunities.

Emma Gorbutt, West Devon Borough Council's children and young people officer, said: 'The activities and trips have allowed children to make new friends, become more confident playing in their local play spaces, to learn new skills, to overcome their fears and to engage in experiences which will help shape the rest of their lives.

'Although the project has come to an end, the borough council is continuing to support activities for children and young people through new projects such as Active Villages. We're working with the West Devon Play Forum and our many partners to build on the success of the last three years and continue to help young people to gain access to as many opportunities as possible.'

Thanks to the Big Lottery Fund, free play opportunities have been provided in more than 20 communities in West Devon, including rural villages like Bere Alston as well as the larger towns in West Devon.

Cllr Mandy Govier, West Devon Borough councillor and chair of the West Devon Play Forum said: 'The past three years have proven that the borough council and community organisations can work really well together, creating some fantastic outcomes for our young people. Although times are tough and funding short, I am very hopeful that we can continue the momentum and build on the many successes of the Really Playing Project.

'The borough council would like to say a big thank you to all the youth workers, play workers and activity providers who have worked so hard to make play happen, and of course to the Big Lottery Fund.'

For more information about Really Playing in West Devon, West Devon Play Forum or activities for young people, please contact Emma Gorbutt at West Devon Borough Council on 01822 813636 or email [email protected]">[email protected]

For further information on the Active Villages project contact Hannah Colston on 01822 813628, email [email protected]">[email protected] or go online at http://www.activevillages.co.uk">www.activevillages.co.uk

Pictured are Representatives from the Really Playing in West Devon team: Front, from left to right: Paul Dobbie, Vickie Lloyd, Hannah Rowlands, Emma Gorbutt, Mhairi McCall, Stuart Lord. Back, from left to right: Julia Vella, David Duttson, Abby Stobart, Cllr Mandy Govier, Barry Mountstevens, Jackie Colby, Andy Barkes and Rosie Allen-Perdikeas.