Chickerell Primary School pupils today attended a site visit to check on the progress of the new play area and MUGA on Willowbed Field.

They were all very excited and left with a clearer view of where their favourite piece of equipment would be sited!

The pupils had been invited by the Mayor of Chickerell, Coun Jean Dunseith, to see the progress and to talk to a Monster Play representative about health and safety on site and to take a tour of their new play areas.

The Town Council has worked closely with Chickerell Primary School to provide the multi use games court for both community and school use.

Coun Dunseith said: “As well as showing the construction to the young people, it was a chance to explain safety issues around building sites and the need to respect equipment that they helped to plan and fund. Town councillors also attended as the town council will be responsible for the maintenance of the play area and games court and we want to work with future users to keep it all in a good condition for everyone to enjoy”.

Work started on the scheme in March and, depending on weather conditions, will take up to four weeks to complete.

THE Peto Garden community project team are asking for any spare plants that they can plant in the beds at the Peto Memorial Garden.

If you would like to donate plants generated from your own garden please contact Brian on 770678, they are happy to collect.

A SUCCESSFUL morning of football fun was held by Youfirst - the youth forum for Chickerell.

36 pupils from Chickerell Primary School aged 4 -11 years turned up for a brilliant session covering several footballing challenges – including “keepy uppies” and ‘penalty shootouts’ followed by a couple of games of five aside.

Lots of children commented that they thought the session was ‘brilliant’ and asked when it would be happening again. The activity was run by 6 volunteers from the youth forum all of whom are themselves ex pupils from the primary school. They reported that they were surprised to see ‘more kids than they expected’ and that they had ‘really enjoyed the session too’.

The school were kind enough to loan Youfirst use of their playing fields and amenities. The activity was also supported by members of West Dorset District Councils Sports Development Team who were on hand with equipment and additional support for the children involved.

Emma Scott, Community Development Officer (WDDC) who has been facilitating the youth forum said: ‘I am really enjoying working with Youfirst. They have run several great community projects and are now hoping to run a big holiday hangout for other young people in the summer holidays. Today’s event was a good example of how different groups working together can make good things happen for the kids.’

If there are any young people out there who are interested in finding out more about Youfirst and how they can join in please contact Emma Scott on 07971 220067 or email e.scott@westdorset-dc.gov.uk