National Play Day was a major success in South Derbyshire.

Hundreds of young people and their parents went to Maurice Lea Memorial Park in Church Gresley to enjoy the first-ever celebration of National Play Day on Wednesday 6 August, 2008.

Says Cllr John Lemmon, Chairman of South Derbyshire District Council’s Housing and Community Services Committee, “Everyone had a great day. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing people of all ages have so much fun, including babies in pushchairs, older teenagers, parents and grandparents. It was wonderful that the Fire and Rescue Service brought a fire engine and the County’s Library Service had its Team Read summer activity on offer to everyone. Even the weather was kind to us as the rain held off until the session finished at 4pm.

“We had so many different forms of play for youngsters and their parents to enjoy. We had boisterous activities like the laser inflatable games and sumo wrestling, revitalised “parlour games” like giant Jenga and Connect Four and more artistic approaches to pastimes like puppet making and plasticene modelling. We have had support from the Big Lottery for our initiative to improve play in South Derbyshire and the Big Lottery has also funded our new play officer Catherine Lissaman who has set up all these activities. We have a young and enthusiastic team in South Derbyshire who interact so well with parents and young people making people feel passionate about the importance of play.”

Cllr Lemmon continues, “In our Annual Report we showed how we provided more things for young people to do in 2007-2008 and how we are providing even more play sessions this year. To find out more about our achievements for the people of South Derbyshire and our plans for the future, please take a look at our Annual Report online at www.south-derbys.gov.uk/annualreport. You can also request a copy from the Council at the Civic Offices in Swadlincote. National Play Day was such a success in Church Gresley that we will holding it again in future years, perhaps in other parts of the District.”