New playground opens in Saul, March 2011

By Peter Harrison

Not even a cold gloomy morning in March 2011 could dampen the spirits of a large number of Saul residents who assembled in the playing field for the official opening of the new playground equipment. The play area , funded by the national Playbuilder project, is designed for young people between the ages of eight and thirteen and includes a climbing frame, aerial runway, two birds nest swings, a roundabout, play tree, slides, boulders and a bike trail. The playground was designed and built following extensive consultation with young people, parents and the wider community.

The parish council and Stroud District Council worked closely together to put together a bid for the £49,000 project which was given the go-ahead in November 2010.The official opening was performed by  Mr John Hudson , chairman of Stroud District Council, accompanied by Mr Chris Meredith, chairman of Fretherne–with-Saul Parish Council and Councillor John Jones, Stroud district councillor for the Severn Ward which includes Fretherne-with–Saul.

Mr Meredith remarked that, as a father, he was very passionate about ensuring a healthy future for young people and he was delighted with the new play area. He considered the benefits of playing outside and meeting other children to be an important part of growing up and hoped that local children would make the most of it. He also paid thanks to local group SNAP (Saul Needs  a Playground) for delivering leaflets  and information to engage local people.

Councillor Jones said that the completion of the playground was a great achievement for everyone involved and was a good example of the councils and the community working together to deliver an excellent facility for local youngsters