Children at Davyhulme playgroup, St Mary’s, have benefited from a Lottery grant - for the second time.

A grant of £8,894 awarded to St Mary’s Playgroup, Davyhulme, to update the outside space and provide a secure area between the church hall and outside play area.

This followed a first Lottery grant of £10,000 in 2015 to create the outside play area.

Erica Smith, the manager of St Mary’s Playgroup, said; “We were really thrilled to receive a Lottery grant for the second time. "Previously we had to use tennis nets to create a safe pathway for the children to access the new outside play area.

"While it worked it wasn’t ideal and Ofsted had recommended we improve the area to allow the children free, safe and secure access to outside play

“Thanks to this second Lottery grant and support from St Mary’s Church and the Parish Council, we have created a free flow access by installing new wooden fencing, remodelling the step outside the church hall and putting down a new surface between the church hall and playarea. This has created a safe environment for the children as well as addressing the risks previously posed by the uneven surface between the two areas.”

The new play area which was installed in January 2015 has been a real bonus to the Playgroup and church, and is used daily as well as being accessed by other church groups and members such as Rainbows and Guides.

Erica added, “Outdoor play is vital for child development and by providing free flow access to the new play area the whole outdoor experience is much more manageable and worry free for parents and staff alike.”

The work was completed over two stages, the groundworks outside the church hall took place during the Whit holiday, and the car park marking took place during the summer break, completing the facelift in time for children returning to school and playgroup.

St Mary’s Playgroup is a charity community group which runs out of St Mary’s Church hall Monday-Friday mornings.

The new play area will be used on a daily basis by the children of the playgroup as well as other community groups based in and around the church like the Rainbows, Guides, Sunday school groups, mother and toddler groups, pensioner groups and music and drama groups.