Gomer Infant School in Gosport unveils new adventure playground

The Play Trail at Gomer Infant School has replaced the old play area which was described as a having become a ‘mudheap’. The new facility has been constructed on artificial grass for all-year-round use and with a climbing wall, balance beams, tightrope and swings the children get to have fun while staying healthy.

Year 2 pupil, Freya Day, age seven, said: ‘It was amazing to see the new play area. It’s much better that the old one which had become muddy and rusty. ’

After the opening ceremony the children got their first chance to enjoy the trail.

Alfie Rhys, six, said: ‘The new play area is absolutely amazing and really fun. I don’t know which part is my favourite as it’s all so good.’

Friend, Hazel Mary-Rook, six, added: ‘It was a lot of fun. The best bit was the balancing rope as I got to swing on it.’

The unveiling was the culmination of 18 months of hard work to raise the £23,000 needed to fund the project. A large proportion was raised by the Parents of Gomer Organisation (POGO) through events including a firework display, summer fair, magic show and weekly cake sales.

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Group chairwoman, Karen Elwall, said: ‘We’ve wanted to do this for a while and it has been quite emotional seeing all the children playing this morning.

‘Seeing their faces makes the months of fundraising all worthwhile. We now live in a world of iPads and video games and hopefully this will help keep the children active.’

For headteacher, Debby Marshall, the new facility will also help the children’s physical development.

‘The all-weather surface means the children can enjoy the Play Trail all year. It’s obviously important for children to be active and the apparatus really helps them develop their motor skills which can also help with things like writing when back in the classroom

‘The Play Trail will also be the first thing that visitors see when they arrive at the school and it creates a really good first impression.’

After the ceremony each class got the opportunity to experience the fun of the Play Trail course.

Mrs Marshall added: ‘Seeing the children here today and hearing their excitement just brings a smile to my face.’