History

A fantastic play space has been installed on a piece of Herefordshire Council owned public open space at Crooked Well Meadow, Kington - courtesy of Section 106 money (£32,000) and Playbuilder funding via Herefordshire Council from the Department of Children, Schools and Families (£40,000).

Our Grand Opening on 16 May 2010 exceeded all our expectations. The weather was great and this helped to make the event a real success. We were delighted by the fact that more than 300 people (both young and old) supported us. More than £500 was raised and this will go towards the cost of organising future events and installing items on the meadow. Everyone was entertained by Wizard Wonky, a bouncy castle, a 24 foot high climbing wall, a teepee, painting, birds from the Small Breeds Centre, African drumming workshops and face painting. Not to mention the newly installed play equipment! Kington Police and Kington Firefighters also attended, as did Herefordshire Childrens' Centre, Marches Housing Association, Herefordshire Council's Community Protection Team and Marches Access Point. The day culminated in a duck race that was held on the Back Brook. Click here to view some photos of the day.

The play space’s design includes many of the ideas and suggestions that were gathered from consulting local residents and youngsters. The design has also balanced the use of manufactured play equipment with creating a natural environment for play through the use of hard and soft landscaping.

The equipment installed includes a jungle climber, zip wire, climbing tower, nest swing, challenging trail and toddler area - see here for photos. It is hoped that the new play space provides a play experience in harmony with its surroundings and is an exciting attraction for people of all ages to enjoy.

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Our Aims

To promote, protect, conserve and enhance Crooked Well Meadow and the surrounding area as a place of freedom, recreation and enjoyment for the long-term benefit of the whole community.

Crooked Well Meadow's Big LunchCrooked Well Meadow

As featured in the Hereford Times: The rain failed to dampen the spirits of Kington folk who were undeterred by the showery June weather and enjoyed their Big Lunch last Sunday. A picnic at lunchtime followed by an afternoon of animal handling and sports day activities brought out more than 100 neighbours who gathered on Crooked Well Meadow. "It was a great opportunity for all ages to spend time together and a big success," said Steve Hodges, Chairman of Friends of Crooked Well Meadow. The arrival of the animals created a real buzz and people quickly crowded round to hold a wide variety of creatures - from a boa constrictor to bearded dragons to chinchillas and tortoises.

Crooked Well Meadow's Big Lunch was made a reality largely thanks to a grant of £745 from Herefordshire Council's Community Pride Scheme. Attendees (people and animals) were particularly glad that part of the money had been spent on a marquee which helped to shelter people from the showers. The sports day equipment which had been purchased with the grant money also proved popular. Both the marquee and the sports day equipment will be used for future events. The afternoon was rounded off with the result of our "guess how many balloons you can fit in a Corsa" competition. And for those who are still wondering, the answer is 258! Money raised on the day will go towards the cost of holding future events on the Meadow. Watch this space for further details.

Kington Town Council funding

Friends of Crooked Well Meadow received a further £500 from Kington Town Council on 19th May, 2011. This money will go towards the cost of getting a bench and a bin installed in the toddler area and for running a structured play session during the holidays. The £500 we received from them last year was spent on a WildPlay session on the Meadow, with the rest of the money spent on buying a mini-soccer goal.

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