23rd July 2009

Chickerell council take up Ellie�s idea

A YOUNG girl was so inspired by a visit to a playground at a school on Portland that a project is now under way to build one in Chickerell.

During the Easter holidays  Ellie Cleaver Coles, aged nine, of Chickerell went to the playground at the Grove in Portland and had a wonderful time. 

On the journey home, she asked her mum why Chickerell did not have a playground like the one in Portland?

Ellie’s mum, Julie Cleaver suggested that as a member of the Chickerell School Council, Ellie should ask them. 

The school council referred her to the school governors who in turn referred Ellie to the Chickerell Town Council.

Nobody could answer the question, so Ellie and her mum decided to do something about it.

In June Ellie spoke to the 330 children at Chickerell School and asked them to complete a survey on why they wanted a new playground. She also launched a competition to design the playground during Healthy Schools Week.

Three lucky winners of the competition won swimming vouchers kindly donated by Weymouth Swimming Pool and The Rembrandt Hotel.

The overall winner was Billy Doonan from Year 5 whose ingenious design included a giant sized hamster wheel which could carry up to 13 children –  capturing a sustainability and safety theme. 

As the children race on the hamster wheel, electricity is generated to power CCTV cameras and lights at the playground keeping the children and the equipment safe.

Julie Cleaver said: “Over 85 people have already pledged their support to help the new playground project get off the ground.

"Chickerell Town Council has been very supportive and has agreed that the new playground can be sited on the Willowbed Hall Field. 

"Meetings have already taken place with West Dorset District Council regarding funding and the project is now an official agenda item at the Chickerell Town Council meetings and is part of the Chickerell Parish Plan Action List.”

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