Restored play park to 'bring generations together'

Woodmancote playpark is being officially opened on Saturday

A restored playpark will "bring generations together" across two villages, a community group has said.

The Woodmancote playpark, near Cirencester, officially opens on Saturday after more than £60,000 was raised to transform the village's only facility.

It now has equipment for "all generations" including a climbing area, tangle tower and adult street gym, volunteer project lead Denise Ewbank said.

"All this activity has brought the whole community closer and also bridged the gap between us at the top of the hill and North Cerney down the bottom," she told the BBC.

The Woodmancote Community Group decided to restore the park in September 2023 after it became run down and "failed to meet the needs of the rural community," Ms Ewbank added.

"We probably have about 250 people living in our little area and no facilities at all.

"This is the only community space where people can come together."

The park, which is around 50 years old, is on lease to North Cerney Parish Council from the Robinson family.

The old park has been described as "run down"

The project has been funded by the Enovert Community Trust, as well as crowdfund Cotswold, a fundraising platform by Cotwold District Council.

North Cerney Parish Council and Gloucestershire County Council have put money towards the project and local people have also donated.

"It has been exhausting and I would say there were about 20 or 30 villagers helping out, it was a real military operation and it's all come to a head.

"It's given the village a real focus, it's our community hub and brings generations together."

A ceremony to open the park will take place at midday on Saturday.