The children with nowhere to play . . . (From Herald Series)

Appleton parents have launched a campaign for a village playground

3:18pm Thursday 8th April 2010 in News By Herald Reporter

PARENTS at Appleton have launched a campaign to build a playground in the village.

The mums and dads, frustrated their children have nowhere to play, have set up a committee which has drawn up designs, found a location and started fundraising for the project.

There are about 250 children in Appleton, many of whom have been involved in choosing the apparatus, with favoured choices including a zip wire, basket swing and hammocks.

In a questionnaire covering 594 residents, 59 per cent said it was very important to have a children’s play area.

The playground would cost about £60,000 and be located on land donated by a farmer at Green Lane.

Campaign leader Natalie Crawford said: “There is literally nowhere safe for the young people who live in our village to play and experience the freedom of the great outdoors.

“We do not even have a central village green where the youngsters can gather and socialise.

“With highly inadequate bus links and busy main roads cutting through the village, young people in Appleton are literally stuck here with nothing to do.”

Oxfordshire County Council is due to decide next Monday whether to make a £45,000 grant.