Groundwork Hertfordshire builds new equipment for Bennetts End’s young adventurers
4th December 2009
Mike Penning MP and Deputy Mayor, Cllr Roger Taylor, join a celebration at opening of new equipment at Bennetts End Adventure Playground.
Hemel Hempstead MP, Mike Penning, and Deputy Mayor of Dacorum, Cllr Roger Taylor, joined young people at the formal opening of a new piece of equipment at Bennetts End Adventure Playground yesterday (2nd December). At the celebration event, they were able to see for themselves the transformation of the playground and congratulated all those who participated in the project. .
12 young people aged 16-21 from Hemel Hempstead and The Swan Foyer; Berkhamsted completed the 6 week project that included a day at Adeyfield Adventure Playground, 3 weeks at Bennetts End, 2 sessions of employment training skills and a first aid course. The work over the two projects included building a 14 metre platform linking two existing structures together, creating some steps and building a raised bed for the younger users to grow their own vegetables.
The project is part of Groundwork’s Routes to Work Green Skills Projects funded by the East of England Development Agency. This particular project was also funded by Dacorum Borough Council
Chris Dungate, Youth Officer at Groundwork Hertfordshire said:
“The project has been a great opportunity for the young people to get involved and learn new skills and gain confidence for the future. They have worked hard in the 3 weeks to complete the new structure, for some of them it has been nice to help add something to the Adventure Playground because they used to come here when they were younger. I would like to thank the young people for being such fun to work with and the staff here (at Bennetts End Adventure Playground) and Aldwyck Housing Group for all their help throughout the project. It is wonderful that the Deputy Mayor and Mike Penning MP were able to attend the celebration event and personally thank all who have contributed over the last 6 weeks.”
Staff from Bennetts End Adventure Playground said:
“The young men who have been working on the building project have worked really hard in all weathers, and have taken great pride in what they are doing. The staff and children at the playground are really pleased with the new structure, and the children will get many years of stimulating play from them.”
Mike Penning MP said:
“It is a great achievement by these young people to construct such an exciting addition to the adventure playground. Groundwork Hertfordshire are to be congratulated for putting this project together and enabling these young people to learn new practical skills whilst, at the same time, learning to work together as a team. I have no doubt that the children who use the adventure playground will get a lot of fun out of the new equipment.”
