Partnerships are childs play at Whitton Green

A celebration of this community-led project will begin at 10am on Thursday and the opening event includes entertainments with Circus Skills and face painters and the cutting of a ribbon.

"There was a collective community appeal for a young children's play area central to the Whitton area at Whitton Green  and thanks to a unique partnership effort there will now be somewhere with safe and modern equipment for children to play on," said Cllr Frank Mortimer, Cabinet Member for Customers and Communities.

"Funding of £10,000 came from Waveney via its Section 106 fund gained from local planning developments, but the improvements have only taken place because of £10,000 from The Beach radio station's Help An East Coast Child fund, and a £15,000 environmental grant secured by local residents led by the Whitton Life centre.

"I would like to thank all those who have played their part in making this project a reality. The local community have really pulled together and the new play facilities and picnic area are a fitting testiment to their efforts," added Cllr Mortimer.

Waveney's Tenants Forum has a fund of money to support improvements in local areas that are supported by the local community. The Environmental Grants Panel is made up of tenants and they decide on what projects to support and supported this initiative with £15,000.

The plans for the site drawn up and installed by Waveney Norse, the Council's partners that manage parks in the district, include toddler swings, rope and net climbs, spinners, slides and muscial panels, with safety surfacing in a fenced off area with loads of seats for parents to sit and watch their young children play.

"This is an excellent new project that we were delighted to be able to support. Whitton Green will now have a range of exciting new play equipment that will give local children a great safe place to play and have lots of fun," said Paul Carter, Progamme Manager at The Beach.

"It is thanks to the marvellous genorisity of our listeners that we were able to give some money from Help  An East Coast Child fund and so create a new playground that promises to echo to the sound of laughter and the sight of beaming smiles for years to come," added Paul.

Presenter Tim Lindon, and Lyn Long, operations director of The Beach will be there on the day along with the Beach Bunny, who will be cutting a ribbon,  to help give the new play area a grand opening launch.