Horse retired from play area

After 40 years the static horse couldn't bear to watch the decline of the play area any longer. After loosening itself from it's supports it was removed from the play area on Sunday 14th September after concerns about safety. It is now waiting to be taken away by scrap metal merchants .


Only 4 items of equipment now remain in the play area.

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What we're aiming for.

The village of Padfield just outside Glossop with its Plum Festival in full swing.

Climbing frame/swing

I visited a friend over in Glossop today and we walked her kids and the dogs over to a little bvillage called Padfield to go to the Padfield Plum Festival. Now Padfield is pretty tiny as you can see from the first picture and the festival was little more than a tiny fete but it was really nice and good fun.

The Festival was held in the village green right over the childrens' playground so all the kids were playing on the play equipment. It was so full and busy that it took me a while to work out what was under the mass of bodies. When I focussed, I could see how well the new equipment worked. it was compact but interesting; therewere loads of different age groups all using the equipment; they could work together or singly; and it just looked fun and imaginative. Most parts of the frame swung or twisted in more than one direction. In fact we were able to leave my friend's son for quite a while playing with his pal and neither seemed to be bored and he has a pretty short attention span!

I suppose I was interested because it wasn't a massive public park; just a tiny village playground. There were only 4 pieces of equipment - the blue multi-purpose climbing frame and slide; a see-saw; a 4-man spring table and some swings. But, despite that, they could accommodate dozens of kids and they all seemed to be having a laugh. There is no way Bamford's curent play area could achieve that.

I hope that's what we can get if (no, when!) we get our funding. Fingers crossed!

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A beautiful setting

Some of the wildflowers on the Rec this summer

View up to Win Hill from the Rec (the play area is just to the right)

View of Bamford Mill and Bamford Edge from the gateway into the Rec (right next to the entrance to the play area)

View of Win Hill to the right and Bamford Edge to the left with the play area behind my husband (couldn't find one without him in!)

Just in case you might be bored of looking at dilapidation, I thought I'd try to put the play area into context. Above are some pictures I've taken over the years on Bamford Recreational Ground which is where the play area is sited. It's gorgeous isn't it? The scenery is simply stunning with views up to Bamford Edge one way, Win Hill another and Shatton in the other direction.

That's why this play area is really worth fighting for. There aren't many other places where locals and visitors alike can enjoy such scenery while entertaining their kids and chatting with their mates.

At the far side of the Rec is a wildlife area and it's bounded by the River Derwent. There are 2 well used football pitches and a practise area. The play area has all the natural advantages, it just needs a little long overdue help to fulfill its potential.

The Rec is the site for several annual events like Bamford Carnival in July, the Sheepdog Trials in May and various Car Shows and Mountain Bike events. I'm sure vsistors to these events must be puzzled by the juxtposition of such wonderful scenery and such dismal facilities.

That's why we're trying to do something about it!!

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The ugly truth!

A broken gate so dogs can get in and foul....nice...

A mouldy, static horse...what a thrill!

Rust, just what you need on a climbing frame...

That looks solid...

More rust....

Hi again. I looked at the photos I posted last time and thought "they don't really tell the whole story". They show a fairly dull, unspectacular playground but don't show how grotty it really is. So, I think you're ready for the warts and all pictures now... not pretty are they?



Rust, mould, rotten wood and dilapidation. Just what you want your children to playing in eh?



Well, we're not going to sit around and let those that can vote with their feet (or, more accurately, cars) and those that can't get stuck with the above.



We have a plan. It's going to make the play area safer, more exciting to play in, prettier and, hopefully, much much busier. It will cost money though. Doesn't everything? So, we've done loads of research and found out that the best place to apply for that sort of money is the Big Lottery Fund. There has been a lot of work involved in making the application but we're nearly ready to submit it.

In later posts, I'll set out some of the things we've had to do for the application and more details about what other people in the village have had to say about the play area. In the meantime, I hope some more people from our group , and in time from the wider area, will post some of their views about the play area and our quest to make it better. All comments gratefully received.

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What we are all about

Empty as usual

Note the rusty corners....

It doesn't move, nailed solid....

Also rusty, but the kids still like it.

Hello all.



We're a small group of women from the village of Bamford who have become concerned about the state of our local play area and have decided to try and do something about it.



It's privately owned, so we can't expect the Local Authority to help (although we have tried!). We're applying for Lottery funding to supplement our existing funds to completely revamp the play area.



You'll be able to see from the pictures above what we're on about! We live in a beautiful village in the middle of the Peak District National Park. The surrounding country is simply gorgeous and the play area has every natural advantage you might hope for. Yet, because it has been neglected for a long time, with only minimal repairs when absolutely necessary, usually carried out by parents for free, the play area has become dilapidated and uninspired.



Now, much of the equipment has been removed or disabled due to being unsafe. What's left is not exactly pretty or entertaining for childen and, as a result, it is underused. Now, those families who can often drive to neighbouring villages to use their play facilities.



This doesn't make sense. Village children should be able to play in their own village with their own classmates and neighbours. Those who can't drive to other, better places should not be condemned to a second class playground.



I've set up this blog but I hope that, once word gets around, anyone will be able to post their stories and photos about the play area and we can update it as we make applications for funding to improve the situation.



Wish us luck!

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