Shrivenham may be a small village but with a very high youth population and a number of active sports groups it has a very dynamic community. There was a basketball court in the village, but this was used infrequently and was in need of repair. With active football cricket, tennis, and basketball teams and over 200 young people, the Parish Council felt that the village would benefit from an activity facility that would be free of charge, but more importantly be used by all age groups in the community.
Shrivenham Parish Council’s Sarah Thacker-Pugsley commented: “We really wanted to provide something that would be used regularly and would be of real benefit to the whole community. The first suggestion of a skate park was met with opposition from nearby residents, so we approached youth groups and other active parties in the village to come up with ideas of what would be most suitable. It was agreed that an enclosed multifunctional ball court and a youth shelter would be the best solution.”
With the help of Trust for Oxfordshire’
The council decided to hold a competition to name the ball court, and selected 9 years old Frankie Townend’s entry of ‘Bounce Box’ as the winner. Since completion, the court has been in use daily, mainly by the young people, and in the evenings it is used for football games and cricket practice. With warmer weather around the corner, the tennis and basketball teams will be able to take advantage of the facility.
Sarah Thacker-Pugsley added: “We are delighted that the Youth Shelter has proved so popular with everybody. The young people in the village not only use it as a place they can meet and socialise without being asked to move on and so far there has been no sign of vandalism. As it’s close to the road, mums use it during the day as a resting place where they can meet and chat.”
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Editor’s Notes
High resolution photographs available on request
More about Monster Play Systems Ltd
Monster Play Systems are manufacturers and installers of high quality playground equipment, ball courts and youth shelters. The innovative ‘Big Toys’ range introduced in 2005, is made from 100% recycled materials, and gives Big Toys one of the highest percentages of recycled content available in play equipment today. Their modern YS range of youth shelters are designed to withstand heavy use, are vandal resistant and have solar powered lighting and radios as optional extras.
The company has steadily built up a reputation not only for quality products but also for the highest levels of customer service. This philosophy together with the challenge to provide a safe, positive play experience that is also fun, exciting and developmentally appropriate has resulted in Monster Play Systems becoming the UK’s fastest growing and most innovative provider of children’s play equipment.
Contact details
Marco Boi, Sales and Marketing Manager, Monster Play Systems
Tel: 01923 811591 e-mail: marco.boi@monsterplay.co.uk
Colin Caldicott, Ultimedia PR
Tel: 01767 601470 e-mail: colin@ultimediapr.co.uk
