The Big Picnic (From Dorset Echo)

The Big Picnic

3:03pm Thursday 8th July 2010 in Chapelhay

OVER 100 locals gathered at Chapelhay Community Playgarden on Sunday, July 4 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 of 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 11.30am-12.30pm.

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.