The Memorial Hall Committee is aware of the frustrations expressed on social media about the continued closure of the Play Area and that there have been suggestions it should be left to parents to take the measures necessary to keep their children safe when using the equipment.

The Committee recognise that the Play Area is a valuable community asset and the volunteers who are responsible for its safe operation and maintenance have been doing everything possible to enable the Play Area to re-open as soon as possible, but we take our safety responsibilities very seriously and we are required to comply with the Government’s Covid-19 regulations and the conditions required by the Charity’s insurers.

The Charity Trustees are responsible for ensuring that all the equipment is safe for use and that all the relevant Covid-19 requirements, including those for social distancing, cleaning and hygiene are met before the Play Area is re-opened.

Unfortunately due to the impact of Covid-19 the annual safety inspection, which is a legal requirement, was unable to be completed and as a result of the “virus lockdown period” the companies who carry out the inspections have a backlog of inspections to carry out.

Recognising the value of the Play Area to local residents and children the Memorial Hall Trustees have used the Charity’s funds to pay for the extra costs of an urgent inspection rather than wait until the end of September for the earliest date offered for a “normal” inspection.

The Inspection report has now been received and there are a number of actions required before the Play Area equipment can be passed as being safe. These will be carried out as soon as possible by the Memorial Hall Committee of volunteers.

In addition, one of the Covid-19 requirements is for the equipment to be disinfected on a daily basis – the estimated cost to the Charity of this work is £175 per week.

This is a very significant sum for the Charity and we will be asking for donations/contributions to help with meeting this unbudgeted cost.

It is our intention to re-open the Play Area as soon as it is safe to do so.

UNTIL THEN THE PLAY AREA WILL CONTINUE TO BE PADLOCKED – PLEASE DO NOT ALLOW YOUR CHILDREN TO USE THE PLAY AREA AS IT IS UNSAFE.

When we have a re-opening date we will update the Memorial Hall website and Facebook page.