A day of play in Teignbridge

Families have the chance to celebrate summer in one of Teignbridge’s open spaces as National Playday comes up next month.

Some of the district’s best places will be filled with fun and games as part of the event, which sees thousands of children and their families get out playing at hundreds of community events across the UK.

As well as a celebration of children's right to play, Playday is a campaign that highlights the importance of play in children’s lives.

The Playday 2013 campaign theme is ‘Playful Places’. The campaign is calling on everyone to help make sure that the places where children live and hang out are great places to play – with Teignbridge doing its bit to support the cause.

National Playday will be celebrated in Courtenay Park, Newton Abbot, on Wednesday 7 August 2013 from noon-4pm. Families will be able to take part in a variety of play activities, including face painting, large garden games, along with messy play, loose parts play and a bouncy castle.

National Playday is just one of the many free events that are taking place in the Teignbridge parks and nature reserves this summer.

Teignbridge’s Green Spaces team are putting on a range of events designed to help the community learn about and enjoy the local environment. There is also a host of other events taking place throughout the school summer holidays.

Sandringham Park, Newton Abbot, will host ‘Play in the Park’ sessions on the 14, 21 and 28 August, where Tepee (Teignbridge Play Network,) will organise fun family activities between 2pm-4pm. Tepee will also be running environmental play sessions in Coombe Valley Nature Reserve, Teignmouth, on 15, 22 and 29 August from 2pm–4pm.

Councillor George Gribble, Teignbridge Country Council’s spokesperson for Active Leisure, said: “We are keen to encourage more locals to make use of the outstanding open spaces that are available to them. National Playday, and other events like it, are great as they give a wider range of people the opportunity to enjoy our parks.”

Adele Rennells, from Tepee, said: “I am delighted that so many local organisations are getting involved in the event this year, and supporting the campaign for play.”

For more information or to get involved with Playday in Teignbridge contact the Green Spaces team on 01626 215751 or email: Greenspaces@teignbridge.gov.uk