THE trustees of John Sanders Trust held a special opening ceremony on Saturday, July 23, to celebrate the arrival of a new piece of play equipment recently installed as the centrepiece of the play area in Pyworthy Park.

Long-standing trustee and current treasurer, Mrs Gillian Johns, kindly cut the ribbon.

Jane Oliver, trustee and secretary of John Sanders Trust, said: “The trustees are responsible for the upkeep of Pyworthy Park and we have worked hard to raise money, through grant applications and fundraising events, to enable the purchase of a huge new climbing frame with walkways and slide, which replaces a similar but older item which had reached the end of its useful life.

“Several children can enjoy playing on this wonderful piece of large climbing apparatus at once, which encourages physical activity and imaginative play. It is hoped that many children from Pyworthy village and far beyond will have great enjoyment from playing on the new apparatus for many years to come.”

The trustees are indebted to Pyworthy Parish Council Solar Funds, Devon Community Trust, the Balsdon Trust and Torridge District Council for providing grants to help with the purchase and installation costs of this new play equipment.

Jane added: “We would also like to thank BA Turf Boyton, Paul Symons, Irvine Cleave and Kompan for their invaluable assistance with preparing the site and erecting the climbing frame and apparatus. Significant funds have also been raised through the annual Park Trust Lottery, and the Trustees are very grateful to everyone from Pyworthy and beyond who purchase an annual lottery ticket to support the John Sanders Trust, without which the purchase of new play equipment and the maintenance of the existing play area and our lovely park would not be possible.”