National Play Day at Crimble Croft Community Centre

Den making at the National Play Day at Crimble Croft Community Centre

Over 500 people made their way through the doors at Crimble Croft Community Centre in Heywood for the third annual National Play Day.

Attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale, Surinder and Cecile Biant, there were lots of activities at the thriving community centre to keep everyone from the young, to the not so young entertained.

The zorb balling proved to be a hit with everyone. Zorbing is where people climb inside an inflated ball and roll around, protected from harm by the cushioned walls of the ball.

Other activities included art and craft workshops, sock teddy making and face painting.

Louise Kershaw, Centre Manager, said: “The face painting was a great success and we would like to thank Capstones for their generosity in providing this for us. The face painter was fantastic, probably the best we've seen. The kids loved the designs and were queuing most of the day to get their faces done."

Yvette Schemet from Capstones commented: "We like to help with community projects when we can and this was an ideal opportunity for us to get in involved. It has been a fantastic day and extremely well run by enthusiastic staff and volunteers. The number of people attending was impressive and shows how important Crimble Croft is to the local community and how supportive the local community is to Crimble Croft.”

Also at the event was the Heywood Model Railway Club who set up a fantastic display.

Heywood Model Boat Club also had a display with a little help from the Heywood Brigade, who arrived in an engine to fill the temporary boating pond in the grounds.

There was also dressing up, junk model making provided by Jackie Stewart of Cartwheel Arts, and Crimble Crofts own version of Bear Grylls, who led the kids in a den making session, which they all loved.

Mayor Biant had a lengthy discussion with the den maker about his own efforts in constructing dens on the slopes of Kilimanjaro as a boy before he came to England. He said he still remembers the skills he was taught and realises the importance of taking part in events such as this.

Children and adults alike were encouraged to take part in old fashioned sports activities, such as an egg and spoon race, sack race and a tug of war, all of which were run by Cat Atherton.

Another popular event on the day was a drum workshop, where everyone was encouraged to beat out a rhythm on a variety of drums, of which the bongos proved to be the favourite, so much so that the Mayoress couldn't resist trying her hand while her husband, the Mayor, looked on in admiration.

RADPAC Manager Kay Carrington said: “The main aim of the day was to promote fun and the importance of play in the day to day lives of our kids, getting them out from behind their screens and taking part in physical activities. We also hope it encouraged our volunteers and gave them the confidence to be able to set up play schemes of their own throughout the borough.”

Louise Kershaw added: “We are delighted with the way the day turned out and we would like to offer our thanks to the staff and volunteers alike whose help and assistance was invaluable in putting the day together.

“I would also like to take the opportunity to thank RBH, HETRA, RADPAC and HAP without who the day wouldn't have been possible. We are already looking forward to next year’s event and will begin planning shortly.”

The day was a joint venture organised and supported by Crimble Croft, RADPAC, Heywood East Residents Association and Heywood Activities Programme.