News Release
30 July 2008
Playday 2008 Unwraps the Cotton Wool from Children’s Play
Free, fantastic and fun is what’s on offer for the afternoon of
Wednesday 6 August when Havant Borough Council, Streetsport, Music
Fusion and Staunton Country Park celebrate National Playday
2008.
Playday, supported by Persil, is the annual celebration of
children’s right to play. This year’s theme – Give us a go! calls
for a reverse in the decline of adventurous play opportunities - be
it banning conkers in the playground or outlawing tree climbing.
The campaign highlights the need for children to experience
challenging play to ensure they are better equipped to manage risk
in their daily lives.
Many partners are involved in bringing this free event to
residents which is taking place from 12noon - 4.00pm in Leigh Park
Gardens, Staunton Country Park.
“It’s going to be a great afternoon for everyone with
attractions such as an inflatable Lazer quest and assault Course,
making clay monsters, a rock climbing wall, miniature golf, arts
and crafts, information stands and much more. “ says Councillor Andy
Lenaghan, Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing. Cllr
Lenaghan is also taking part in the ‘Sponge a Councillor’ game.
Gillian Blackmore, the council’s Play Development Officer and
coordinator of this event adds, “Activities are aimed at all ages
so weather you are 1 or 100 come along and join in the fun. We also
have live stage performances from local talent including UVG
(Havant Young Peoples Vocal Group), Sophie Wilkins, Danny Burnett,
The Scene and Bedhampton and Big Noise Samba Band. Ocean FM’s
Thunders Team will also be there on day.”
More information can be
found by following this link>> and there’s no need to
book you can just turn up on the day, with a picnic and enjoy the
fun.
Notes to editors
Entry is free to this event, being held in Leigh Park Gardens,
Staunton Country Park. The venue has been given free of charge.
Please note that the Ornamental Farm at Staunton Country Park
will be open for business as usual and normal charges will apply
for entry.
Playday2008
Adrian Voce, Director of Play England, said: ‘This year we want
to help children shed some of that cotton wool they’ve been wrapped
up in. Challenging and adventurous play is integral to children’s
development and helps them to grow up as happy and confident
individuals.’
1. Playday is coordinated by Play England, part of
NCB
, working in partnership with
PlayBoard Northern Ireland, Play Scotland and Play Wales. The
national campaign involves thousands of children and young people
getting out to play at locally organised events. Playday events
range from small-scale neighbourhood get-togethers to large-scale
public events organised by local authorities and national
organisations.
Play England promotes excellent free play opportunities for all
children and young people. Play England provides advice and support
to promote good practice, and works to ensure that the importance
of play is recognised by policy makers, planners and the public.
Play England is part of
NCB
and is funded by the Big
Lottery Fund. For further information visit http://www.playengland.org.uk/
Research to support the campaign will be published on the
Playday website – www.playday.org.uk – on Wednesday 6 August 2008.
Advance copies are available on embargo, on request from the
National Children’s Bureau media office: contact Clare Quarrell on
020 7843 6044 or email media@ncb.org.uk.
As part of the Every Child Has The Right campaign, Persil is
launching the Free Play Initiative 2008 this summer to encourage
parents understand the importance of play in childhood. The Persil
Free Play Initiative 2008 culminates in the support of Playday on
Wednesday 6 August. To find out more about the Persil Free Play
Initiative, including lots of hints and tips on fun free play ideas
to play both indoors and outdoors visit http://www.persil.com/