Children and young people in Westfield now have access to brand new outdoor play provision following the enhancement of facilities on Church Lane. Funding for the project comes in part from a £2M grant from Government following a successful bid by East Sussex County Council to become a Play Pathfinder area and also from Westfield Parish Council. The project is one of three in Rother to be enabled through Play Pathfinder funding by April 2009.

The projects follow the launch in December of the first ever national play strategy setting out the Government's plans to improve and develop play facilities for children throughout the country and backed by £235 million of dedicated investment.

Westfield's Parish Action Plan development process revealed that many residents wanted improved play facilities in their area and local primary school children said this was their highest priority for improvements in the village. The existing play provision in Westfield had also been identified as being amongst the poorest in the District. Local volunteers set to work to address this consulting with residents including school children and parents using the nearby playgroup. A proposed scheme was developed and funding sought.

The project was allocated Play Pathfinder funding following a recommendation from Rother District Council to the Play Pathfinder Project Board that it should be supported. Rother District Council has worked closely with Westfield parish Council to further develop the project and see it through to completion. Work began on site in November and the facility is now available for use.

Rother Cabinet Member, Jonathan Johnson said "This is just one of many projects Rother has supported throughout rural Rother that bring real and tangible benefits to local communities. Rother is pleased to have worked in partnership with the Parish Council and East Sussex County Council to bring this much needed facility to fruition."

An official opening of the facility is to be held on Friday 9th January at 1.30pm with children from Westfield School in attendance. There will also be a tree planting ceremony in memory of Mrs Anne Norris OBE, who died in November and was a great supporter of initiatives to improve the quality of life for the young people of Westfield.

Westfield Primary School Head Teacher, Mr Keith Cheetham expressed his delight with the facility. "What excellent equipment. Well done Parish Council I am really impressed."

Cllr David Elkin, Lead Member for Learning and School Effectiveness at East Sussex County Council said: "Providing fun, safe places for children and young people to play and socialise is vitally important and can give a real boost to communities. We were delighted our bid for Play Pathfinder status was successful and are now excited to see some of projects already coming to fruition."

Play Pathfinder is part of a £235M investment initiative by the Department for Children, Schools and Families to provide better play opportunities for children, families and communities. This vision is to make sure that every residential area has a variety of high-quality places for all children to play safely and free of charge. The purpose of the DCSF is to make the United Kingdom the best place in the world for children and young people to grow up. Through the Children's Plan the DCSF seeks to make children and young people happy and healthy, keep them safe and sound, give them a top class education and help them stay on track.

For further information contact Rebecca Owen, Parks Development Officer on 01424 787522 or rebecca.owen@rother.gov.uk or see www.rother.gov.uk/play

Alternatively, contact Mrs Barbara Balkham, Clerk to Westfield Parish Council on 01424 751531 or westfieldparishcouncil@yahoo.co.uk

For information about Play Pathfinder projects across East Sussex contact High Fairless, Play Pathfinder Project Manager, East Sussex County Council on 01323 463366 or hugh.fairless@eastsussex.gov.uk

7 January 2009