community

Building on the continued success of other play park refurbishments in Haydon Wick, local school children, Councillors and Parish Council staff were delighted to see the finished results of the King George V Play Area renovation.

In line with government guidance and with COVID safety measures in place, the energetic Meerkats Class from Haydon Wick Primary School had an enjoyable morning testing out the new bongo drums, the rain wheel, sensory panel and a basket swing. The little play park enthusiasts enjoyed half an hour of play time before being treated to refreshments by the Morrison’s Community Champion from the Haydon Wick store.

During specific areas of the project development, the Council worked closely with Benjamin’s Smile charity – a keen ambassador for accessible play who has been working with local parish councils and Justin Tomlinson MP to make play areas inclusive for all children. The park has also benefitted from extensive resurfacing, the installation of accessibility friendly play equipment and footpaths. Becky from Benjamin’s Smile, had this to say about the newly developed play area:

“I am so delighted with the positive support which Haydon Wick Parish Council has shown since my first meeting with them. 

The adaptions made to KGV Park along with other projects I know the Council has planned are going to make such a significant difference to families who will benefit from better access and inclusive equipment at play parks.

My campaign is about raising awareness.  All children and young people deserve to be able to access parks and play equipment and quite simply be included. I am so thankful to Haydon Wick Parish Council for being so proactive and I can’t wait to take my son Benjamin to enjoy the park”.  

The Parish Council continues to create wonderful, accessible, and engaging areas for residents to benefit from. A highlight of 2020 was the £80,000.00 refurbishment of Haydonleigh Skate Park which is fully inclusive and includes striking street art from local artist  The Visual Drop and an innovative legal graffiti wall has been created with urban concrete tunnels for shelter. In late 2020 the Council planted over 5,000 bulbs with volunteers, which have now provided residents with cheerful spring colours across the parish as we approach the end of the 2021 national lock-down.

Looking ahead, a Covid-19 Memorial of cherry blossom trees is planned for the Parish – and will offer residents of all ages with a space to remember those that have lost their lives during the pandemic, honour key workers and reflect on shared experiences of this time. More updates on this exciting development and even more play area refurbishment plans are coming as the Council has committed another £132,500 to spend on improvements from April 2021.

It has been more than a year since the United Kingdom confirmed its first case of COVID-19, and as we fast approach the anniversary of the first confirmed case in Swindon, Haydon Wick Parish Council in North Swindon, will be joining the National Trust and other organisations in planting a circle of blossom trees as an act of remembrance.

As brave NHS staff and armies of volunteers work determinedly to vaccinate the nation and we edge towards a glimmer of normal life, the planned memorial will provide residents of all ages with a space to remember those that have lost their lives during the pandemic, honour key workers and reflect on shared experiences of this time. The project will involve the planting cherry blossom trees, installing sleeper benches and a flower bed next to Orchid Vale Care Home in the parish. A spokesperson for the Parish Council commented:

“From talking with residents it become clear that many wanted to recognise the sad deaths of all this community has lost to COVID19, as well as to express a communal sense of shared loss and shared remembrance. We still have a long way to go to beat COVID19 but the vaccines are a symbol of hope in this moment of darkness, and that’s how we see this memorial”.

The larger urban enhancement project headed by the National Trust is designed to replicate the Japanese ‘hanami’ – and Haydon Wick will be adopting this ancient tradition of viewing cherry blossoms as the first sign of spring, for years to come.

The Council had recognised the significant importance of open spaces on the mental and physical health of its residents during lockdowns. It has completed many projects such as parish-wide bulb planting, allotment enhancements and competitions to benefit the local residents of Haydon Wick in Swindon.