Rain doesn't stop play at park launch

Showing true Bexhill grit, spirits remained undampened even after the weather forced parents and children to shelter under the marquee.

And the new town mayor, Cllr Jimmy Carroll, handed out fruit from his Ninfield Road grocery, saying he was glad to see this investment in one of Bexhill's more deprived areas.

Sidley's play park, funded largely by a grant from the Government's Play Pathfinder scheme in collaboration with sheltered housing group Amicus Horizon, was designed in collaboration with Bexhill's community.

Local charity the Young Pioneers had a say in the design, and children from All Saints school also contributed their ideas.

"We thought it would be nice to do it on a peer-to-peer basis," said Rebecca Owen, parks development officer at Rother District Council (RDC). "We're really pleased with it. We know a lot of kids have been enjoying it, which is our aim at the end of the day. That's what we want."

Karen Martin, of Rother Children's Centres, helped children get their hands mucky inside the marquee, and said the group had plenty of activity days lined up over the summer.

Mayor Carroll used the event to encourage more community organisations to come forward with their ideas for the town. Anyone wanting help from the office of mayor, he said, should call him on 01424 892658.

"If there's anything you want, let us know," he said. "We will do our best to see if we can help."

You can also email Mayor Carroll at [email protected].

Tomorrow (Saturday, June 5), a multi-cultural spring event organised by the Rother Race Action Forum offers parents and young people from ethnic minorities in Bexhill a free lunch, children's craft workshops and circus skills.

The event, held in Bexhill Youth and Community Centre, Station Road, is free and runs from 12noon-3pm. All are welcome.

Keep up with the Rother Children's Centre programme as events are announced in the Bexhill Observer.