Bampton Town Council
The Motte and Bailey Playground Project
UPDATE (16/9/20):
Its not hard to imagine a lot of frustrated children (and possibly adults!), desperately wanting to try out the new play park at the Motte & Bailey. Bampton Town Council are working very hard, bringing together all the final necessary touches that are required for a project like this.
We have recently received a safety assessment by RoSPA, which is a necessary requirement before the park can be formally open to the public. A very minor issue has been raised with regards to a superficial element of the park. The contractors are expecting to remedy the issue within the next 2 weeks, but in the meantime it is important that no one plays on the equipment because it has not been formally certified. This is quite normal.
We are also looking to compliment completion of the installation with erection of a new fence, which will subsequently be planted with a native hedge in keeping with other hedgerows in the vicinity. A number of new signs will also be added to the site over the next few weeks, as we wish to create a really welcoming environment for all visitors to the site.
I understand everyone must be chomping at the bit to get in and try out all the equipment. I can assure everyone we are very nearly there and we are doing everything we can to speed things up. Please bear with us and on completion we will immediately provide the green light for the fun to commence!
Bampton Town Council
A group of Bampton Dads has been working on renewal of the play area up at the Motte & Bailey for well over a year now. It's all due to start Friday June 26th.
To give you some history of the group as follows:
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A group of Dads started a working group back in April 2019 initially titled "Bampton Playground Castle Thingy".
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Since then we have identified the Motte and Bailey (or Rec as some people know it) as an area with untapped community potential.
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Initial plans were on a grand scale and encompassed the whole area around the Motte and Bailey, however after consultation and an appreciation of how sensitive the site was, it was felt that our efforts would be better directed towards reestablishing the since derelict play area.
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We consulted with the community through various methods, but the majority of the engagement came through the Spring Fair 2019.
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Through consultation and our own planning committee we developed the optimum design for the play equipment, which was centred around a mock wooden castle (for obvious reasons). The choice of sustainable wood both in terms of its production but also longevity was a key component to the designs as we wanted to avoid metals or plastics which we felt would negatively contrast with the history of the site.
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The play equipment was always intended to educate children as to the history of the site through play. The latter being a great way of reinforcing education in the minds of children.
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Funding was always going to be a problem, however the Dad's group (with the help of their partners) committed a huge amount of time to a comprehensive and intricate design and funding pitch.
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We were successful in securing funding from Viridor Credits of £99,000, with a £10,000 contribution from Mid Devon Council and also Bampton Town Council committing £10,000 of their own funds.
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Work is due to commence Friday 26th June and is due to complete end of Aug/ beginning of September.
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'Dad' Tim Williams has since been co-opted on to the Council, predominantly to help deliver the project (it is a Council owned site and therefore it is a Council project), but he also retains an enthusiasm which is shared by the Dad's group to further enhance the potential of the Motte & Bailey in respect to outdoor community activities after the completion of the play area.
DOWNLOAD HERE PLANS AND PICTURES OF WHAT IS PROPOSED!
Download here the historical considerations of using this site for the new play area.
If you wish to communicate any ideas about the site or have any questions, please feel free to email Tim on timwilliams@bamptontowncouncil.gov.uk
THREE VIEWS OF THE START OF CONSTRUCTION!
Woirk progressing fast! These pics from Friday 10 July: