The Waveney Play Partnership will celebrate the completion of its first project today, with the official handover of new play facilities in Westhall.

Westhall Community Council received the handover of their new play installation at Mill Common on Tuesday 23 September at 11am. Local children and residents decided the layout and design of their new play equipment, that includes a play park, football goals, basketball net, trim trail and a pavilion for socialising adjacent to the community centre and playing field.

Councillor Wendy Mawer, Portfolio Holder for Economic Regeneration said: “Westhall’s £20,000 capital play project is the first of four projects within the £0.25 million Big Lottery Fund portfolio, obtained and coordinated by the Waveney Play Partnership. Other projects include provision of two further rural play areas in Blundeston and Barnby/North Cove and a Skate Park for North Lowestoft. We were delighted that our bid for funding was successful and are thrilled to see the real benefits it will bring to young people in the district.”

The Waveney Play Partnership – around 40 people from organisations and groups across the district - supported the Council in its bid to the Lottery. Chair of the Waveney Play Partnership and Waveney District Councillor, Chris Punt also commented: “It is always hugely exciting to see such a project come to fruition. Members of the Waveney Play Partnership have worked hard to get to this position and we hope the children and young people in this area see some real improvements and enjoy using the facilities now on offer.

“I would also like to extend our thanks to the people of Westhall for their views and input, as well as Playscape and the Big Lottery fund for supporting the project.”