Chairman of Hythe and Dibden Parish Council, Councillor Brenda Smith

They were joined by the Chairman of Hythe and Dibden Parish Council, Councillor Brenda Smith, who helped the children cut the ribbon to officially open the new playground.

Costing in the region of £100,000, the playground has been a successful Hythe and Dibden Parish Council project, with financial support from the Onyx Environmental Trust, in the form of a grant of £30,000 under the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme.

Work on new playground began in April 2006, and the equipment was installed by PlaySafe Playgrounds of West Sussex.

The children who attended the opening of the playground had helped with its design by deciding what features they would like to see installed.

Chairman Cllr. Brenda Smith with Children from Hythe School, Bryan, Luke, Freya, Tate, Danielle, Kieran. Some of whom now attend different schools

The play area integrates play facilities for the disabled young person, as well as able-bodied, which is a first for Hythe and Dibden. Parents and grandparents are catered for while supervising their children’s play by provision of picnic tables and seats.

There are also fun litter bins to start children off on the right foot with disposal of rubbish - keeping their play area clean and tidy!

The project included the laying of safety playing surfaces and improvements to surrounding paths, thanks to the hard work and dedication of Sean Spencer’s maintenance and facilities team.

Speaking about the project, Councillor Brenda Smith said "We have been planning this project for a couple of years now. It is fantastic to see it being completed and opened.

The grant from the Onyx Environmental Trust was used to purchase several pieces of equipment, all of which have fantastic play value".

From Left to Right:- Margaret Cobbold representing Onyx Environmental Trust, Chairman Cllr Brenda Smith, Cllr. Chris Harrison and Cllr. Maureen McLean Chairman, Play Equipment Working Party.

Therefore it is very important to us that they are protected and improved and I hope this fun, safe, secure playground is enjoyed for many years to come".

Cllr Chris Harrison said: ”Hythe and Dibden Parish Council have employed 2 A.S.O’s who will be patrolling in Hythe and keeping an eye on the play area to ensure that it remains a safe and secure place for the under 14’s to enjoy.”

The Landfill Tax Credit Scheme is 10 years old this year, it enables waste companies to retain a portion of their tax they pay on waste they send to landfill and distribute it to community and environmental projects in areas where waste operations are located.

People and Organisations involved with the
Ewart Recreaction Ground Play Area:-

Play Equipment Working Party
Mrs Maureen McLean (Chairman), Mr George Dawson, Mr Chris Harrison, Mr Malcolm Wade, Mrs Rosemary Dash, Mr Stan Wade, Mr David Withinshawe, Mrs Deborah Summers, Mrs S Goddard, Mrs Julia Smillie, Tonia Shepherd, Mrs Pauline House, Dye Lockyer (NFDC), Candy Huxham (Handy Trust), Sean Spencer (H&DPC), Shirley Maitland (H&DPC).

Onyx Environmental Trust  -- The Landfill Tax Credit Scheme
(Margaret Cobbold is representing Onyx Environmental Trust)

Hythe & Dibden’s Maintenance Team.
Who have worked particularly hard to turn the building site into a lovely play area

Sean Spencer (Facilities and Maintenance Supervisor)
Who has run the project and worked really hard in the consultation, tender process, planning and installation.

Candy Huxham
Who has been heavily involved – getting the Childrens ideas.

Playsafe Playgrounds
Who installed the equipment and have been excellent to work with.  (Lorna Laming is representing Playsafe)