CHILDREN in Wilcot will be able to make the most of the summer months with the arrival of a new play area on the village green.

The new equipment, worth £23,000, has been funded by grants as well as donations from local people, including Lady Rothschild, and community fundraising events.

The biggest donations came from the Big Lottery who gave £10,000, a £5,000 grant from Pewsey Area Board and the Hills Group, through the Landfill Community Fund and Community First, who put forward £4,600.

Much of the fund raising and organisation for the new play area has been organised by village residents Jane and Jamie Watherston.

Mrs Watherston said: “The ceremony went down really well and was very well attended by local residents.

“The old equipment had become dangerous and not user friendly for the many ages and abilities of local children and needed replacing.”

The green has been owned by the village since 1924 and is managed by Recreation Ground Committee.

The play area, which is used by local youngsters and by children at the Oare preschool, has been a feature since the 1950s with the swings being around 60 years old and the climbing frame nearly 20 years old.

The new equipment was installed in January but officially opened last Thursday with donors in attendance including Mary Hardwidge from Community First and Paul Oatway, on behalf of the Area Board.

The equipment includes rubber matting to soften falls and help prevent mud and a baby swing which the previous play area did not have.

A short opening ceremony was lead by chairman of the village’s Recreation Ground Committee Richard Fleet.

The green will become a hive of activity once again on May 4 when the Oare primary school and Wilcot fete takes place.

On the day, which runs from there will be a cake competition, dog agility, welly wanging, music from the school choir and maypole dancing.