As the school bell rang for the end of term, children across Hastings were already looking for something to do with their extended summer break.
Luckily, Council play workers had put everything in place for three fantastic sport and play days in Alexandra Park, so all they had to do was wait.
Excitement began to build on the morning of 2 August, as crowds gathered at the first Summer in the Park event to celebrate National Play Day. From babies of just a few months old to lively teenagers, there was something to keep everyone occupied. Clay, water, sand, peat, straw and willow activities were laid on to celebrate this year’s Play Day theme ‘Play Naturally’ and a range of sport activities used up some of that pent up holiday energy. Parents watched as their children dived into tunnels and jumped mini hurdles in an obstacle course and dozens gave fishing a go in the Park’s Harmers Pond.
Hundreds more enjoyed the same mix of sport and play on the other Summer in the Park days on 16 and 23 August. Despite being a little different from previous years, there is no doubt that this year’s holiday activities were as successful as ever.
Summer in the Park was coordinated by the Council’s Play Development and Active Hastings teams along with lots of volunteers from the Play Forum and other organisations. Cllr Peter Finch, lead member for Leisure and Culture said:
"Without the volunteers, Summer in the Park would not have been possible. They helped make the day as safe and as fun as possible for everyone."
"It was great to see so many of the town’s young people enjoying these events in the park. I thought the combination of sport and play activities worked particularly well and I hope that events in years to come will be just as successful".
For more information on our Play Development service please visit www.hastings.gov.uk/play.
"My favourite thing was the clay, I made a doll that looks like my sister"
Dillon, aged 5
"Me and my brother went fishing for the first time, I didn’t like touching the maggots but we did catch some little fish"
Adam, aged 6
"I made BIG sand castles"
Jack, aged 2
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This page last updated: 11/09/2006