Children In Wodeland Avenue Have A Great Time Playing In Their Own Street!

Published on: 27 Apr, 2018
Updated on: 28 Apr, 2018

Do you remember when children had the freedom to get together and play games in the streets where they lived? A number of them did just that in Wodeland Avenue on Sunday (April 22).

Children in Wodeland Avenue, near Farnham Road, do something different – playing in their own street.

Mums and dads came together to organise the event with the help of staff from Guildford Borough Council’s parks and leisure team.

Wodeland Avenue resident Clare Gossage was one of the main organisers. She said the idea came about after a street party was held there to mark the Queen’s diamond jubilee in 2012.

She wrote to the council about holding a Street Play event and meetings were held and arrangements made for closing the road and neighbours were also contacted.

There were marshals at the two points at which the road was closed making everything safe.

Having lots of fun with a temporary road closure in place.

She said: “The children loved it, using additional street toys the council provided. The adults enjoyed watching the children play and we have had brilliant feedback from the event.

“One older resident said they couldn’t wait for someone to knock on their door asking for their ball back!”

In total, about 10 adult volunteers helped organise the Street Play and were on hand during the day.

Clare added that a website called Playing Out is very useful in giving information, tips and advice for organising ‘playing out’ sessions.

They are now planning further Street Play events in Wodeland Avenue with three dates provisionally arranged.

The adults had a great time too!

Guildford Borough Councillor Caroline Reeves (Friary & St Nicolas) said: “I’m so pleased that the Street Play at Wodeland Avenue was a success.

“It’s a great way for neighbours to meet up and for children to play in a safe, different environment and thanks must be given to the residents who took the lead on this to work with Amanda Pick [play and youth development officer] from the council.

“I’m sure that there are many other communities in the town centre whose children would like an opportunity to play safely in their own road.”

Guildford Borough Council’s lead councillor for Project Aspire, health, safeguarding and sport, Iseult Roche, added: “”The emphasis on Street Play is on free, unstructured play where children are simply given the chance to play in the street, without the danger of traffic, whilst adults have a chance to meet and get to know their neighbours over a cup of tea.

“We are keen to support such initiatives which are already proving to be popular and have a positive impact elsewhere in the country such as London and Bristol and we will be releasing more information over the coming months.”

A similar Street Play event was held in Park Barn a couple of summers ago.

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