Young users of a much-loved park in a South East Northumberland town are set to enjoy improved play facilities through the school summer holidays and beyond thanks to a four-figure grant from a regional employer.
A new slide, climbing frame, swings, trampoline and grass matting has been installed at Horton Park in Cramlington thanks to a £5,000 grant given by The Banks Group, via its Banks Community Fund, to Cramlington Town Council.
The work at the Horton Park has been carried out as part of a wider project by the Town Council to improve all of Cramlington’s parks and to provide proper play environments for local youngsters.
And the school summer holidays set to get into full swing, the new equipment has already had rave reviews from its young users.
Bob Baker, clerk to Cramlington Town Council, says: “The Town Council has been working hard to improve all the play areas across Cramlington, and we’ve been successful in updating and enhancing many of the parks and leisure facilities available to local people.
“However, we’ve obviously only got a finite amount of funds available for this work, so the more we can attract in terms of outside support, such as this generous donation from the Banks Group, the more work we’re able to carry out around the town.
“The existing play equipment at Horton Park had been in place for around 15 years, so we knew it was time for an upgrade, and we also knew that a redesign was required to bring everything up to date.
“The response we’ve had from both the park’s users and their parents has been extremely positive, and we’re certain that Horton Park will be busier than ever over the summer thanks to the changes we’ve made.”
The Banks Group employs over 200 people across the Brenkley Lane and Shotton surface coal mines near Cramlington, and is also the company behind the proposed Chapel View residential development in East Cramlington, which would be located on an eight hectare site to the south of the B1326 and the east of the A189, and which would entail 194 two-storey homes for families and first time buyers, as well as new areas of informal green space.
Jeannie Kielty, development relations coordinator at The Banks Group, adds: “Giving young people the opportunity to be active in safe environments is essential for their health and well-being, and Cramlington Town Council is doing an excellent job of improving play facilities which do just that.
“We’re very pleased to have been part of making these improvements at Horton Park, and hope that the summer weather gives local families as much chance as possible to make the most of the new equipment.”
The Banks Community Fund provides grants for community groups and voluntary organisations in the vicinity of both operational and proposed Banks Group projects. Anyone interested in applying for funding should contact James Eaglesham at the Banks Community Fund on 0191 378 6342.