Free fun and games on the beach

The Army Welfare Service in partnership with Windsor Housing and RBWM brought the beach to Broom Farm, Dedworth.  A beach was created complete with sand, water, buckets and spades, ice cream, seashells, bouncy castle, human table football, Egyptian dancing and sumo wrestling.

Local residents turned out with their families to take advantage of this free event to promote play and interaction for children and parents in the community. Research demonstrates that good play opportunities for children can build resilience. The event highlights the importance of play in an environment packed with positive, natural play opportunities.

It also raised public awareness of the facilities available for everyone to access at Broom Farm, as well as providing an opportunity for local families living on the estate, and in Dedworth, to mix and socialise. A short clip of video footage taken on the day is available here: http://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/news/article-12263-video-life-s-a-beach-for-windsor-kids-on-play-day/

The beach play day also marked the redevelopment of two neglected play spaces to now provide accessible, landscaped play environments for children, young people and families to enjoy. A Sure Start Centre will also be opening on-site in 2010 for the estate’s residents and the wider Dedworth community.

Rachel Bennett, Community Development Officer for Windsor Housing, who also led the children in an Egyptian dance in the sand said, “Windsor Housing were delighted to be invited to work in partnership with the Army Welfare Services to deliver this valuable and innovative event.  Broom Farm will soon enjoy new facilities with a Sure Start Centre and brand new play area to benefit the whole of Dedworth where Windsor Housing has a large number of homes.  It’s important to build links between the Broom Farm and Dedworth communities so everyone is encouraged to make full use of the children’s facilities.”

Adrian Voce, Director of Play England, said: ‘Play is an essential part of every child's life and is vital to their emotional and physical development. Research shows that, through play, children learn about themselves and the world around them, develop confidence, self-esteem and creativity. We’re asking for everyone to make play a priority for Playday 2009.’

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