Exwick Community Centre gets Investing in Devon money

A messy bit of ground at Exwick Community Centre has been transformed into a child-friendly paved area, enabling young and old users of the Centre to enjoy the outdoor space.

The piece of ground was included in the boundary of Exwick Community Centre when it was built, but it was never levelled by the developers. The land was not able to be used by the centre users and was a maintenance headache for Exwick Community Association, who operate the centre on behalf of the community.

Now with funding from Devon County Council, the existing patio area has been extended to include the new paved area.  A rear gate has also been moved to remove a passage that presented a safety hazard to children; and the existing patio has been power washed and pea gravel added all the way round to provide a really useful area at the rear of the community centre.

Young mum, Helena Gater, said " I can feel a bit more relaxed now when my son wants to play outside at the centre, as I can see that the patio area is now clean and safe."

Money was also provided to provide a new security grill and roller shutter at the top of the stairs that enables groups, such as Wolf & Water, who work with young people, to create a more secure environment for users and staff.

Both of these projects were officially opened by Cllr Rob Hannaford and Jerry Bird, Chair of Exwick Community Association, on Friday 7 June.

The opening took place during Friday Friendship, an all-age drop in group which is run by Exwick Community Church with the support of Exwick Community Association.

Friday Friendship meets every Friday (except through August) between 10am and 12noon, and is open to all; it is regularly attended by mothers and grandparents looking after young children, retirees and all those in between, who want to stop by for a drink, biscuit and chat, whilst the children can play inside, and now out.

Phil Alford of Friday Friendship, said "What a difference the new patio makes, now the children can enjoy playing outside in the sunshine."

Devon County Council has given £3,390 from its Investing in Devon fund – money generated from the proceeds of the sale of Exeter International Airport.

Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member with special responsibility for Exeter, said: “I am delighted that Devon County Council has been able to help with this project, and that it has been so warmly welcomed by local people and users of the Centre. This is yet another example of what a relatively small amount of money, when properly applied, can do of real value to people’s lives.”