Meols parents help restore park’s playground

Mar 12 2008 by Lorna Hughes, Hoylake and West Kirby News

PEOPLE power is restoring a Meols playground to its former glory.

Parents and children were stunned last summer when contractors arrived to rip out a slide and climbing frame from Meols Park.

They were condemned in a safety survey carried out by the RSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents).

Determined to bring play back to the park, parents formed the Friends of Meols Park – and have now raised £6,700 toward new play equipment.

Wirral Council has agreed to boost the total by another £3,000.

Roy Shuttleworth, secretary of the Friends of Meols Park, who has lived in Meols for 22 years, said: “The kids had just broken up from school and one day they just arrived with a white van and ripped the park apart.

“There’s been no play equipment ever since and my youngest child, who is five, has been asking me why we haven’t got a playground.

“I decided to get a few parents together and with the help of our local councillor Gerry Ellis we formed the Friends group.

“Just last week we were awarded £5,000 towards new play equipment from the Your Wirral fund in liaison with Wirral Partnership Homes.

“So far we’ve raised £6,700, not too bad considering we only started the group in October.”

The money will be used to purchase a slide and “combination unit” with a safety surface – and the group has ambitious plans for the future.

Roy said: “Many years ago the park also had a roundabout and a seesaw and at the moment there’s nothing there for toddlers.”

l The ‘Friends of Meols Park’ is holding a fundraising attic sale this Saturday from 10am to 1pm at St Andrew’s Church Hall, Greenwood Road. There is a 20p entrance fee (free for children) and proceeds go toward the play area. Tables are £6, available from Roy Shuttleworth on 07970 990774.