Youngsters delight in Old Hunstanton’s new playground after two-year fundraising campaign

Delighted youngsters have taken with glee to the swings, slides and climbing frames of their village's new playground.

The site in Old Hunstanton was opened today (Monday, May 29) following a two-year fundraising campaign to raise £42,000 for it.

Scores of children and other community members flocked to the opening party at the playground, which featured a performance by the Hunstanton Concert Band and a guest appearance by Peppa Pig.

Norfolk's Vice Lord-Lieutenant Lady Romney officially opened the park, which is on the corner of Old Hunstanton Road and Sea Lane.

Jac Sandy, of Old Hunstanton, said the campaign started in 2015 at the urging of her teenage daughter, Jade.

Mrs Sandy said: 'She said we needed a new play park, so we went to the parish council, who then approached the borough council in King's Lynn, to see if we could get some funding.

'They said no but they were happy for the parish council to proceed and it became a community-led project.'

A group of residents formed a committee and started a Help Our Playground (Hop) appeal, organising fundraising concerts, tombolas, cake sales and more.

They also worked with two schools to find out what pieces of play equipment the village's children most wanted.

Mrs Sandy said: 'It has been a fantastic venture that has brought so many groups in the community together.

'It has been supported by local business and we've been working with various charities. It's wonderful to see it all come together.'

Jade said she was delighted with how the project had turned out.

She said: 'Children who live in the village and nearby, plus the many visitors with children who enjoy the local coastline every year, now have somewhere safe, inspiring and enjoyable to play.

'This project has been a fantastic success and a great example of how a community can pull together and make things happen.'

Thanks to supporters

Mrs Sandy said they wanted to thank the following supporters and organisers of events:

-Anna Hallard, Hartbeeps party;

-Mandy Pooley, village bingo;

-guided walk of Hunstanton Hall Estate by Nick Torry;

-Old Hunstanton Flower Festival, cake stall and proceeds;

-David Reeve, Amusing Police Stories talk;

-Glebe House School, bucket collection at car boot sale;

-Hunstanton Concert Band, Christmas concert.

The playground was also funded by:

-Local community and businesses;

-Parochial Church Council;

-Local Masonic Lodges;

-Tesco Bags of Help campaign;

-Geoffrey Watling Charity;

-Old Hunstanton Parish Council;

-Shelroy Charitable Trust;

-Paul Bassham Charitable Trust;

-Hunstanton & District Ladies Circle.