Cotswold Chatterblog

Giving children the chance to enjoy outdoor play this summer is the aim of a new scheme launched by Cotswold District Council this month.

The Council’s new ‘Play Ranger’ scheme starts on Monday July 7th, where a small team of Play Rangers – led by Team Leader Katie Spencer – will travel to locations in Chesterton, Tetbury, Moreton in Marsh, Andoversford and Chedworth, equipped with a whole host of fun and games for local children to take part in.

Travelling in a specially prepared van, each play session could offer a mixture of games, arts/crafts and sports equipment for children to enjoy.  Any child aged from eight to 14 can come along, join in and meet new friends, while being entertained by a team of trained and qualified Play Rangers.

The Play Ranger sessions will be held after school (4pm-6pm) until the end of the school term, while during the summer holidays, all day events will be available.  All sessions will be held in local ‘green spaces’, such as play areas and recreation grounds.

Katie, who lives in Cheltenham but is originally from Staffordshire, is delighted to be leading this new venture. The 26-year-old, who has a desk at Cotswold District Council when she’s not out and about around the District, said:  “I’m really excited about the challenge and I’m looking forward to getting people on board throughout the summer months. ”

“I have worked with children and young people since I was 16 so this is an ideal opportunity for me to get the children of the Cotswolds enjoying themselves safely this summer.”

The project was launched in partnership with Play Gloucestershire and has been funded thanks to The Big Lottery, who gave the Council a grant of £200,000 for play at the end of 2007.

The Play Rangers scheme, which is free of charge, will operate in both summer and winter for the next three years at a cost of £40,000 a year.

For more information on the Play Rangers scheme, please contact Cotswold District Council’s Youth Participation Officer Claire Dowan on 01285 623568 or visit www.cotswold.gov.uk

Source: Cotswold District Council

Tags: cotswolds | education | crafts | games

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