by Alan Quick

CHILDREN at Tedburn St Mary now have a new play area thanks to the determination of members of Tedburn St Mary Parish Council, Teignbridge District Council and its Elector’s Fund and Section 106 monies received from housing developments at Tremletts and Moor Park in the village.

Parish Council chairman Linda Bellshaw said that the new play area, built at a cost of £30,000, includes toddler swings, a small slide, rocking frog and wooden fort all within a nicely-fenced area and alongside picnic tables for parents and grandparents to sit.

The play area, specifically for younger children, is located within the Millennium Orchard at the end of Cleave Close, in the centre of the village.

It has a rubber mulch surface and footpath leading to it.

A play area for older children is located at the recreation ground.

Mrs Bellshaw said that the play area was the result of a parish plan consultation, adding that it had taken three years to sort out leases, etc.

She said that it was fortunate that the play area had been opened for use six weeks before the planned official opening which enabled the children to use it during the school holidays.

She added that additional safety fencing was due to be installed near the road in the near future.

Children from Sara’s School (the village pre-school), Tedburn Toddler Group and Tedburn St Mary School, attended the opening ceremony alongside, parents, councillors and local residents.

Children from the primary school cut a ribbon to officially open the play area.

Debbie Redford-Lewis, parish clerk, organised refreshments for those attending the event.