New Equipment Unveiled at Kilham Playing Field
Keeping active and having fun, young people in Kilham and the surrounding community are benefitting after new play equipment was installed at Kilham Playing Field.
After 18 months of fundraising and securing grants, the committee of Kilham Playing Field Association (KPFA) is delighted that children are now enjoying some of the new equipment.
Two junior swings and two toddler swings, a quad rider (a four-way bouncy see-saw), an apex climbing net, a multi-play unit for toddlers and a timber trail are some of the pieces of equipment which have been installed in the first phase of a three-phase renovation project.
Two further phases will take place once the funding is in place with the aim of improving the selection of equipment on offer for pre-school children and making the play items more accessible.
Andy Oxley, chair of KPFA, thanked all those who have supported the KPFA with its fundraising and gave a special mention to project manager and KPFA treasurer John Kerry who helped to secure the financial support from local charitable trusts and funds.
He said: “We identified the need to upgrade the play equipment around 18 months ago and we launched a public consultation to find out views about the current equipment and what people would like to see.
“From the feedback we received, we identified the need to enhance the offer of equipment aimed at pre-school children, which we have concentrated on in the first phase, and also the need to broaden the offer from an accessibility point of view and this will feature in the next phase.
“We are so grateful for all the support we have received for our events and for the sponsorship; it really does make a difference and goes directly to where it is needed.
“Our ethos is aimed at getting people outdoors and being active outdoors and this new equipment enables us to offer this to a broader age and range of abilities and we look forward to welcoming the local community to embrace the play area and enjoy the space.”
The committee gave their thanks for all the contributions towards the £35,000 first phase of the project including Lissett Community Wind Farm Fund (£10,000), Dogger Bank Wind Farm Fund (£1,000), Horace Taylor Trust (£1,500), Sandy Dewhirst Charitable Trust (£5,000), The JS and EC Rymer Charitable Trust (2,000), Tesco Community Grant (£1,000), nominated by Tesco employee Paul Good and successfully applied for by Liz Harrison.
Preparations are now underway for the next big fundraiser organised by KPFA – the Farmer Christmas Tractor Run.
Now in its third year, the magical festive event will take place on Sunday 10th December with 98 tractors already signed up to take part.
Tractors will set off from Wilfred Scruton Ltd in Foxholes at 3:30pm before making their way through North Wolds villages including Kilham, Rudston, Burton Fleming and Wold Newton before finishing their route on the field at Foxholes Community Hall.
The vehicles will illuminate the route, as all entries are decorated with Christmas lights and other festive favourites, with a prize given for the best-dressed tractor.
Funds raised from the event will go to support the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and KPFA.
Christmas activities, including Santa in his grotto organised by North Wolds Lions, and refreshments will be available at Foxholes Community Hall from 2pm.
Visitors are then invited to line the route in time for tractors setting off at 3:30pm.
Andy added: “The support we receive from the tractor drivers and the investment they put in to decorating their tractors is phenomenal.
“This is always a fantastic event and really helps brings people together and is something that all ages can enjoy.”
For further information about entering, please visit the Farmer Christmas Tractor Run Facebook page.
