Go wild at Abbotswood

Have you tried out the new play area at Abbotswood?

Climb spiderwebs, check into the bug hotel, share stories of great adventures a the stone compass and take a ride on larger than life creatures.

Focus Team members of Yate Town Council  and the Town Council officers raised the funds (from s.106 monies) and designed the scheme working with residents and Abbotswood Action Group. The photo shows  the Mayor of Yate, local councillors for Abbotswood Tony Davis and Cheryl Kirby and other Councillors who ran the project.

Phase 2 starts this week, to lay new paving and seating.

Ladden Gardens Play Area Fiasco

If you were planning a new play area on the new development in north Yate, would you put it within 30m of the existing well loved play area in the current park, Brinsham Fields?  Well that is what the planners are insisting the developers do. Instead of using the money to put more equipment in the current play area, they are insisting they build a new one just yards away - which means money gets wasted on unnecessary fencing, bins etc, when they could use that money in the existing fenced play area to put in more equipment.  It will mean a teenage kickabout area being with 30 m of houses.

But don't blame the developers. They were willing to talk to the Friends of the Park and the Town Council who run the park about a better solution. But S Glos officials were insisting it had to be separate.

Yesterday, the Friends of the Park, and Cllrs Chris Willmore and Mike Drew took the issue to the highest level, at South Gloucestershire Strategic Sites Committee. They showed officials and councillors the problems, they asked for them simply to agree to come to the negotiating table to find a better solution.

South Gloucestershire refused. They insisted on ploughing ahead and giving the green light to this crazy situation. Lib Dem and Labour Councillors voted for Mike Drew's proposal to get everyone round a table to sort it out. But the Tories, none of whom live anywhere near Yate pushed through the officer recommendation. 

The Friends of the Park raise money from all sorts of sources to improve our park, to see money being wasted just yards away is disappointing. We still hope we can work with the developers to get around this crazy mess.

(Picture: The red mark is the play area S Glos is insisting the developers put in, the blue one is the current play area in the park, which has lots of space for more equipment)

Work starts on Abbotswood's new play area

Work has started on doing up the grass  and paved area at Abbotswood. Yate Town Council is doing the work  with money the Focus Team won. Here's the master plan, but what you finally see on site might be a bit different, as some changes are being agreed on site as works progress, eg to make sure there is still plenty of room for the Christmas Tree and  reindeer. We need to ensure these important December visitors have the space they need. If you have any comments about what is being done, or questions, contact Tony Davis - who is on the town council group who are organising the improvements and funding them.

Here's a photo of the work taken by Abbotswood Action Group through the fencing.....

Play Scheme at Abbotswood School during August

Four Towns Play Association will be running a free play scheme at Abbotswood School on Tuesdays and Thursdays during August - please see details below.

Yate sports and play project grant successes

In the recent edition of Focus we promised to tell you more about the various projects that Yate Town Council has got a total of £1.4 million funding for. The success of these bids is due to a lot of local teamwork by the Focus Team councillors, Yate Town Council staff, volunteers, friends groups and residents. Here are the "main headlines":

Yate Outdoor Sports Complex (YOSC)

Yate Town Council successfully bid for funding to replace the track and athletics facilities. They raised £850,000 in total, from developers' "Section 106 money" to develop outdoor sporting facilities in the area), Sport England and by running their own fundraising campaigns. Construction begins week commencing 9th July 2018 to be completed by the end of September 2018.

Sunnyside upgrade

It wasn't very "Sunny" that day...

Yate Town Council ran a Public Consultation to find out views of local people about extending the Changing Rooms at Sunnyside Playing Field. They successfully bid for unding from S106 money to the sum of £128,205.73 to develop outdoor sporting facilities in the area. Construction will begin mid-June and be completed by 12th November 2018.
There will be two more changing rooms at Sunnyside Playing Fields which will enable:
• Female football to take place alongside male match fixtures;
• Provision of an adequate amount of changing rooms in relation to the amount of teams using the pitches and neighbouring Tennis Court facility;
• Improvement of disability access to the facility to promote inclusive sport taking place on site

Abbotswood

Yate Town Council successfully bid for S106 funding of £89,535 to develop an informal play area on the green in Abbotswood Shopping Centre. This includes installing new equipment to expand the opportunity for children and families to engage in informal play. At the Abbotswood Apple Day the town council will give an update and talk with local people to discuss the overall plan. It is anticipated that the work will be completed by Spring 2019.

Kingsgate Park

Yate Town Council will get £72,380 of S106 money for Outdoor Exercise Equipment at Kingsgate Park. The park will benefit from the installation of Yate’s first and only set of Outdoor Exercise Equipment, which will provide a free opportunity for visitors aged 14+ to increase their fitness and strength whilst enjoying the surroundings of the Play Area and Lake. There will be a range of equipment aimed to exercise multiple areas of the body, including the ability to undertake cardio workouts at a range of levels.

A public consultation will take place at the Yate Rocks 2018 Festival and it is planned that construction will be completed by Spring 2019. This will be coordinated with Dodington Parish Council's project at Lilliput Park to avoid duplication of equipment.

Howard Lewis Park

Yate Town Council will received £49,628 of Section 106 money to develop the Howard Lewis Play Area. Following consultation with residents and pupils of the local school regarding ideas, extra equipment will be installed including a multi play unit, a basket swing and bike trail markings. Other areas of the park will also receive attention such as signage and landscaping. Construction to begin by
September 2018.

Brinsham Fields

Consultation is vital to getting funding on this scale!

Earlier this year, Yate Town Council began work on the project to enhance Brinsham Park. The works are part of a long term aspiration to improve the rest of the play area, in line with the new housing development taking place nearby. YTC were awarded £25,370 to develop and enhance the play area further. Construction is starting this month to create a fort, sandpit play area and an outdoor trampoline. The work should be be completed by the middle of May.

Member Award Funding (MAF)

The magnificent Ridge Sculpture was funded by MAF money

Yate Town Council has launched a ‘Yate Ageing Better Project’ to establish the needs of the fast
expanding ageing community of Yate. The Council is working together with Age Concern. The first steps have been to launch a new lunch club and Men in Sheds. They have been awarded MAF funding totalling £2156.73 to fund this project, which will be launched this summer with a public consultation to seek the opinions and experiences of those who are involved in existing groups and activities as well as identifying any additional interest and/or hobbies.

Picnic, Play and Plan for Woodchester Play Area - Sat 15 July, 12pm to 3pm

Dodington Parish Council are inviting local residents to a Community Picnic at Woodchester Play Area to help them plan improvements. At the moment the Parish Council only runs the infants play area, but they are negotiating to take over the larger play equipment and the open space from South Gloucestershire Council.

"We would like local people's ideas on how to make the play area better" said Cllr Paul Hulbert "So we're running a 'Picnic, Play and Plan' session for residents - and their children! - to come along and meet us"

"We would like to hear from people of all ages. We're particularly interested in what of the existing play equipment people think works well, and what doesn't. Maybe people have seen equipment somewhere else that would be good at Woodchester"

"We're also keen to get community views on priorities for where money needs to be spent. For example, should we prioritise modernising the oldest equipment, or perhaps putting a fence round the whole play area to keep dogs out? Or do the teenager facilities like the basketball net and the goal need improving?"

"Light refreshments will be provided – please bring your own picnic. We’ll even have a barbecue going so that you can cook your own food. Councillors will also be happy to discuss any other local issues people have on their minds"

For more information, please phone 01454 866546 or email dodingtonpc@southglos.gov.uk

This will be one of the Picnic and Play events coordinated by Abbotswood Action Group.

Dodington Free Holiday Playscheme starts this week

Dodington Parish Council's annual Summer Playscheme for Ages 5 to 11 starts this week:

Dodington Parish Hall, Finch Road
Monday 1 August to Friday 5 August

Abbotswood Primary School, Kelston Close
Monday 8 August to Friday 12 August and
Monday 15 August to Friday 19 August



Session time 9.30 am to 1.15 pm
Maximum of 56 children per session
First come, first served!

Witches Hat play area officially opened

The revamped Witches Hat play area was opened yesterday by Cllr Wully Perks, the Mayor of Yate.

And here's a satisfied customer testing the slide!

There will be a free onsite workshop event on Sunday 10th May from 10.00 am until 4.00 pm, with lots of different activities. There is a chance that the mini skate park may be open by then too, it all depends on that part arriving.

Witches Hat playground to open tomorrow (Friday May 1st)

The newly refurbished Witches Hat playground will be officially opened at 4 pm tomorrow. All young people welcome!

The new mini skate will open the following week on Friday 8th May, and there will be a free onsite workshop event on Sunday 10th May from 10.00am to 4.00pm. 

Update 1/5/2015:  The mini skate park will now open around 12 May becasue they're waiting for a vital part. We'll keep you posted.

Update  2/5/2015: The workshop event will still take place on Sunday 10th May from 10.00 am until 4.00 pm, with lots of different activities. There is a chance hat the mini skate park may be open by then too, it all depends on that part arriving.

Help design the changes at Witches Hat Play Area!

Yate Town Council is running an interactive workshop for all ages at Witches Hat this coming Monday 16 March from 3 pm until 6 pm, with lots of fun activities aimed at planning the changes, and exploring the design of the skate park with a pro skateboarder.

 

You can just turn up, there's no need to register, but if you would like more information please phone Yate Town Council on 01454 866506 or email them at info@yatetowncouncil.gov.uk

Major improvements on the way for Witches Hat Play Area

Focus Team members "hanging about"
at Witches Hat Play Area

Yate councillors have raised £148,000 to refurbish the Witches Hat play area at the corner of Westerleigh Road and Rodford Way, and to put in skateboarding facilities.

The council's youth survey in 2013 discovered that many young people wanted facilities for skate boarding, BMX and scooters in South Yate.

Yate Town Council hope the development will be completed by April. The total cost of this development is around £148,000 in total and the council has secured £100,000 of funding from South Gloucestershire Council from the New Homes Bonus, with the remainder coming from a variety of sources.

Councillor John Ford, who has led the project, said: ' We've spent over a year working with young people and residents to design exactly what they wanted - to make sure we use the money effectively".

The play area is owned by Yate Town Council. The new scheme will add to the current equipment at this well used play area. It will include new fencing between the play area and nearby housing, an entry level skateboard circuit, new equipment for toddlers, a sandpit and teen shelter.

"The biggest call from young people was for skateboarding - for younger users, Peg Hill is too far away for beginners to travel so we've worked with users to design a local entry level scheme."

The development of the plans for both the skate park and the refreshed play area were developed in conjunction with local residents and park users across a total of six informal consultation events.

After public consultations, the plans will include a small entry level skate circuit, new toddler equipment set into a sand pit, a teen shelter and a fence around the park which can be locked at night.

In early 2004, the Witches Hat Play Area was refurbished with new equipment, and access routes were improved. Some of the equipment caters for wheelchair users. In addition, a kickabout/basketball area is located adjacent to the play equipment.

Weather permitting, the development is planned to be completed by Easter.

Tyndale Avenue Play Area now updated!

Yate Town Council has announced that the Tyndale Avenue Play Area refurbishment works are now complete. The park will be open for use from 12 noon today (11/07/14), why not go along to see the new play equipment?

New play equipment for Lilliput Park

Dodington Parish Council is about to replace the wooden play equipment at Lilliput Park with something much more modern. The final choice of equipment was made by local children who answered the Parish Council’s survey. The equipment has been paid for by developers through the New Homes Bonus scheme. It is anticipated that the installation will take place 17-18 July.

Witches Hat Play Area

Yate Town Council is considering making improvements to the play area to provide more for very young children and for teenagers. There are no firm plans at the moment, but local young people have been asking for a mini skateboarding area. Other ideas include a sandpit, play equipment for a wider age range and landscaping to increase the opportunity for nature play.

Ideas for the school holidays part 1, Yate Beach and playschemes

A few ideas for parents...

Yate Beach

Monday 23 July to Sunday 29 July 19 August (Thanks to Yate Shopping Centre for extending it!), in the middle of the Shopping Centre. 60 tonnes of sand, buckets spades and deckchairs, plus traditional entertainments. Open Monday – Saturday 9.00 – 4.30 and Sunday 10.00 – 4.00. See here or Facebook for details.

Yate Town Council playschemes

Yate Open Access Play Scheme funded by Yate Town Council and run by Childrens Playlink will run every weekday commencing Monday 23rd July until Friday 17th August 2012. Sessions are held at Yate Parish Hall and provide fun for 5 to 15 year olds. No need to book, just turn up.

Play 4 All funded by Yate Town Council and run by Childrens Playlink will run every Thursday between 26th July and 23rd August 2012 in Kingsgate Park from 2pm to 4pm. Free activities for all. No need to book, just turn up.

Click here for Yate Playscheme details

Dodington Parish Council playschemes

Dodington Parish Hall, Finch Road, Chipping Sodbury
Monday 25 to Friday 29 July and Monday 1 to Friday 5 August, 9.30am to 1.15pm.
 No need to book, just turn up, but places are limited - first come, first served. Ages 5 to 11.

Abbotswood Primary School, Kelston Close, Yate
Monday 8 to Friday 12 August and Monday 15 to Friday 19 August, 9.30am to 1.15pm
No need to book, just turn up, but places are limited - first come, first served. Ages 5 to 11.

Click here for Dodington Playscheme details

Sodbury Town Council playscheme (Leo's Den)

Sodbury's playscheme is is held Old Sodbury School but a minibus from Chipping Sodbury is provided for children who require it. The playscheme runs Mon - Fri 6th to 17th August, 9.30am to 1.00 pm. You need to register - click here for Sodbury Playscheme details.

Woodchester Play Area Grand Reopening 17 July - fun for all

Steve Webb will be opening the newly rebuilt play area on Saturday 17 July. There's lots of new equipment, and local children have already been making good use of most of it.

The event runs from 11 am until 1pm, and there will be face painting, fun multi-sports activities, balloons and refreshments.

This is a joint South Glos and Dodington Parish Council project.

Who's got it in for our kids?

Over the weekend two swing seats in Lilliput Park were stolen for the third time in a year - they were only replaced in April. This follows just a few days after a brand new toddler springy horse ride, costing nearly a thousand pounds, was ripped off its foundations and thrown into the stream.

There's also been serious vandalism recently at Woodchester Park, which has delayed the revamp.

It's not just young children doing all this - this is adults trashing play equipment. Not to mention the posh wooden gate that's just been stolen from the Shire Way entrance to Wapley Bushes.

Has someone got it in for our local kids? Please contact the police if you see anything suspicious.

All fun and games at Woodchester Park

Work is about to start on a major rebuild of Woodchester Play Area, which after twenty years or so has been looking a bit tired.

After consulting with local residents and particularly with local children, Dodington Parish Council and South Glos are going to instal some very exciting new features, like this "Supernova" rotating ring.

But there will be some old favourites too - this joint project will also keep and renovate the most popular existing pieces of equipment.