Fundraisers seeking to raise £80,000 towards the renovation of the dilapidated play area in Threlkeld are nearly halfway to their target despite the idea only being initiated last October.
The team leading the project, which was launched by Threlkeld Toddlers and the village parish council, say they have a plan in place which will see a park containing modern play equipment and better safety surfacing opened in 2024.
The project was conceived following the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 and the intention is to name the play area The Queen Elizabeth Platinum Jubilee Play Area.
It turns out that this is extremely appropriate, since it will be located on land in Threlkeld, locally known as The Jobby, but more properly should be called The Queen Victoria Jubilee Croft.
This land was gifted by local landowners in 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee specifically to provide a space for local children to play. The parish council is the trustee of the land.
Around £39,000 has already been donated so far, including a £20,000 pledge from Threlkeld Parish Council, an award of £12,500 from Eden District Council and £6,000 from Threlkeld Events. The National Lottery Community Fund is also to be approached.
Local fundraising will also be important and it is hoped that businesses and individuals in the area will donate to the cause.
A crowdfunding page has been launched on Justgiving (www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/playareathrelkeld) and received its first donation within just a few hours.
Threlkeld Toddlers, led by chair Alison Crozier, organised an Easter Bingo evening last month, jointly with Threlkeld Youth Club, as the first local fundraising event.
The evening was very well attended with a hall full of local people aged two to 92. Alison reported that the evening raised £600 which will be split equally between the youth club and the Play Area Project.
Bingo prizes were kindly donated by Booths with a fantastic array of Easter eggs being won for completed lines and a full house. A raffle, with prizes donated by Keswick and Threlkeld businesses, helped with the fundraising plus there was tea and cakes provided by youth club supporters.
The next local fundraising event will be on Monday May 8, from noon, when a Coronation Fete will be held at Threlkeld Cricket Ground with BBQ, bar, music and colour run for children and adults.
“It should be a fun day for all the family,” said Ms Crozier. “All will be welcome and fingers crossed for the sort of weather we had for the platinum jubilee fete last year!
“We hope the day will generate more funds for this worthy project as all the profits will go to the Platinum Jubilee Play Area Project.”
