As residents will know, exciting improvements are planned for the playground, with new equipment and surfacing. However, we’d like the whole community to use the area, not just families with young children, who we know love to play there. There will be health and social benefits for the wider village community.

Did you know there is a covered barn with picnic tables that can be used whatever the weather? Why not use this space for meetings or celebrations such as birthday parties, or just to meet others for a chat and a sit down after a walk around the village or the field?

At the moment individuals and local organisations get in touch with the Parish Council when they want to use these facilities but it would help everyone if we had plenty of notice, so we’d like you to contact clerk@elfordparish.co.uk or send a message via Elford News on Facebook if you’d like to reserve a space for your group.

When the new playground has been installed later this year (subject to successful funding applications) we’d like even more of the community to use it. The Howard School have told us they would like to take groups of children there as a reward for working hard. Currently groups such as the French group use it for a pancake party in July, and it is used for events such as the Platinum Jubilee Picnic in the Park and the Christmas Fayre. Electricity and water supply is available, and subject to demand we could provide more seating, fold up tables, and equipment such as a barbecue if users need these. Going forward if there are other groups who would like to use this space and the facilities please get in touch – perhaps to organise Mum and toddler meet ups, coffee mornings, art group sessions, or fitness tuition there? Other ideas are welcome!