Over 100 locals gathered at Chapelhay Community Playgarden on Sunday 4th
July for the annual Big Picnic. Despite the grim forecast, the sky was
blue and local children enjoyed a host of free activities, including
junk modelling and making musical instruments, face-painting and making
collages and flags. The bouncy castle was a big hit, while others
enjoyed experimenting with the circus skills equipment and garden games.
Local mum Jane Carter, who helped organise the junk modelling, said,
“These events are great fun and really help to bring the community
together. It also means more people come to our regular Work Days – we
see new faces every month. I’ve met so many people through coming to the
Playgarden.”
Clare Sutton, Chair of the Playgarden, added, “It’s very much a communal
effort. Everyone brings along what they can – garden games, junk for
modelling, bits and pieces for making collages – and the fact that
everything is done on a shoestring means all our activities are free. We
would also like to thank Jamal Uddin from Weymouth Tandoori for donating
funds towards the bouncy
castle – always a big draw!”
The Playgarden holds its Work Day on the first Sunday of every month
from 11.30-12.30. Everyone is welcome to come along to do odd jobs or
just sit and chat, and there are various gardening activities for
children – sowing, planting and watering – as part of the Let’s Grow!
food-growing project. For further details ring Clare on 771180