Public response to a charity’s bid to raise £16,000 to get a popular children’s play park reopened was described as “a fantastic show of community spirit” at a presentation last week. The play area at Surfleet’s Glen Park closed last May because of safety concerns, but donations flooded in from dozens of individuals and public and private organisations and the equipment was back in action within five months. Coun Sue Wray, who handed over a plaque recording Lincolnshire County Council’s £6,295 contribution, congratulated the community for pulling together and Surfleet Play and Recreation Committee (SPARC), the charity that owns and runs Glen Park, on its achievement. Glen Park trustee Sheila Whyles, who received the plaque and also a cheque for £3,357 from the three Pinchbeck and Surfleet district councillors - James Avery, Sally Slade and Elizabeth Sneath - paid tribute to everyone who had supported the project, including Surfleet mums Jodie Nied and Aimee Littlechild, who launched a door-to-door collection the day the park closed. A public appeal launched by the Lincs Free Press and Spalding Guardian, who contributed £500, raised £1,357.40, and there were major donations from RylattFord, of Spalding (£1,000), Surfleet Parish Council (£500), Celebrate Surfleet (£250), the Black Swan, Spalding (£225) and Spalding Hockey Club (£150). But there was criticism over lack of support from South Holland District Council who, according to Mrs Whyles, turned down their application to their Community Fund in favour of Springfields Horticultural Society to refurbish their hall.
Pictured are (from left): Jeff Towler, Coun Sally Slade, Coun James Avery, Coun Sue Wray, Tony Wright, Coun Liz Sneath, Sheila Whyles, Daphne Ledward, Roy Sell, Mary Towler, Tony Blissett, Karen Brown, Keith Charlesworth and Mary Hurst (Surfleet Parish Council). Front: Fran Healands and daughters Olivier and Alicia.