New Play Equipment supported by Ashington Leisure Partnership
Newbiggin by the Sea Town Council is delighted to announce that the installation of the toddler to primary play equipment is complete at Central Park Play Area – this is near Grace Darling Primary and is a short walk from the Newbiggin Sports and Community Hub by walking around the Skatepark.
Wicksteed Leisure were awarded the tender to install play equipment with a train theme and we think they’ve done a great job.
The scheme which cost £39,107.00 included the removal of the old roundabout (we had previously removed the old multi-play that was in a dangerous condition).
The new equipment includes:
- The Newbiggin Flyer train with 2 x carriages
- Old King Cole multi-play unit
- Tootin Train seesaw
- Tootin train springy
- Train ticket office play panel
- Beach Maze play panel
- Ice cream shop play panel
- Hopscoth graphics, and
- 2 x additional seats.
The new equipment was installed by Wicksteed throughout December.
Cllr Alison Sutherland, Mayor of Newbiggin by the Sea, described the equipment as ‘bright, colourful and fun, we hope it bring enjoyment for everyone using it’.
In the autumn the Town Council submitted a grant application to Ashington Leisure Partnership for support with the costs of this scheme. It is intended that the new equipment will encourage young children accompanied by parents, grandparents, or guardians to get outdoor and get active and it also is intended to bring back nostalgic stories of the former Newbiggin Line.
We were very fortunate to be successful with the application for funding.
On Friday, the Mayor was joined at the play area by Brian Storey and Colin Redpath, Trustees of Ashington Leisure Partnership who have supported the project to install the new play equipment with a financial contribution of £20,000! The Mayor added ‘The successful funding bid is brilliant news for our community and we are extremely grateful to Ashington Leisure Partnership for their support’.
The Mayor was also joined by Claire from local nursery Little Acorns who brought Ruby, Freddie, and Esmerelda to test out the new equipment. The children were wrapped up warm as it was a cold day but they thoroughly enjoyed the new equipment.
Brian and Colin commented, ‘the Trustees of Ashington Leisure Partnership welcomed the opportunity to become involved with Newbiggin Town Council in the refurbishment of a Play Area Project in central Newbiggin. The grant application from the Town Council was well presented at our Management Meeting by Elaine, the Town Clerk, and the Trustees all agreed to provide a grant towards the Play Area Project. I am sure the children of Newbiggin will enjoy the new greatly improved facilities for many years to come and Ashington Leisure Partnership are more than happy to support community projects’.
