Perseverance and patience paid off as even more, bigger and better, play equipment was installed for peninsula villages' youngsters

A climbing wall. rope fortress, slide and roundabout were among the newer items added to an already popular play area in Chelmondiston.

Chelmo play area supporters inclduing Danny Summers, Jane Gould, Morley Stevens and Sam Nunn, with parents and children (©NubNews)

The new equipment was installed 20 years the month since Sam Nunn tool over as chair of the highly effective Chelmondiston Playing Field Committee.

The joy on the faces of youngsters clambering all over the new equipment told its own story and Sam was delighted to see the fruits of the committee's labour come to fruition.

"You can see how much the children are enjoying the play area and that makes it all worthwhile," said Sam. "Although kids from Chelmo will get the befit, the play area is open to all children on the peninsula. We surveyed widely and we want as many people as possible to enjoy what we have to offer here."

It comes after the committee initially put out a survey, with 89 families responding to stay what they would like to see included.

Sam Nunn and Jane Gould Chelmo play wall (©NubNews)

Discussions with the then communities portfolio holder Derek David and his team at Babergh and supported by ward member Jane Gould the committee successfully applied for a £10540.80 capital grant.

More funding from Cllr Gould's locality award, the parish council and existing funds pushed the group close to the overall costs of £26,352 for the Lars Laj selected equipment and with negotiation allowed them to have a third piece of equipment.

Cllr Gould added: "As the ward councillor for Chelmondiston I was thrilled to be able to visit the playing field and see the new equipment that has been installed.

"Sam Nunn who is chair of the playing field committee has worked very hard with his team to secure funding for the project and I congratulate them.

"I was pleased to be able to allocate some of my locality fund to support the Chelmo Fest event to celebrate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the second's platinum jubilee and money raised at that event was also put towards the new play equipment." 

Chelmo play area (©NubNews)

That highly successful Chelmo Fest last summer helped the committee get over the line in terms of fundraising for the play equipment and Sam has hailed the amount of backing there have received.

Sam said: "We had lots of support for the Chelmo Fest most notably from Jane's locality grant, the parish council and our headline sponsor and organiser Danny Summers of Interfreight, for which we are very grateful."

With funding secured, the committee was able to get the ball rolling in August and ordered the equipment, which arrived last month.

Supervised by long standing member Morley Stevens the new equipment was safely installed in time for half-term.

The play equipment is open for all peninsula parents and their children and we can be used at any time.

Pony Ride at Chelmo Fest helped raise funds (©NubNews)