The project group seeking to redevelop the play area on Histon and Impington Recreation Ground has received a major boost with the news that it has received a conditional offer of funding of £45,000 from the Cambridgeshire Play Pathfinder Scheme.

This news means that that the Group will now be able to proceed to Part B of the application process which includes concluding work on the detailed new play area design, and costing.

The project aims to provide a new enlarged, re-equipped and landscaped play area for over 1000 village children and young people to use and enjoy. Nearly 900 local people were involved in an extensive consultation exercise in June from which an initial design was produced including new play equipment.

With preliminary project costs of around £85,000 the project faces funding challenges, to raise the remaining £40,000 required. The Histon Feast Committee has agreed to support the project, and other sources of funding are being progressed.

However community fundraising will be necessary to help bridge the gap, and provide evidence of community support to other funders.

The Friends of the Rec which has raised nearly £60,000 over the last seven years to help fund the redevelopment of the pavilion and other facilities has offered to lead on the community fundraising. The Friends have set a challenging target to raise at least £5,000 over the next six months, and will be approaching local businesses to sponsor new items of play equipment

The number of active Friends is pretty low, and new volunteers are urgently needed to help with this fundraising initiative. Fundraising ideas would be very welcome from children and adults.

The stark reality is that if the additional funding is not raised then the grant award will be lost, and a once in a generation opportunity to improve the play area for the benefit of all children will be lost.

For information on how to financially support the project personally please visit www.hisimprec.net, and offers of help for the project please contact Neil on C 232514 or Andrea C 474886

Neil Davies

Project leader