Thurso community advocate's delight at new play equipment for town's children
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A Thurso-based community advocate told the Caithness Courier it was "excellent to see a coherent play area strategy pay dividends" after new equipment was seen being erected at Castle Terrace.
Alexander Glasgow has been spearheading a campaign to improve play areas for local children and had previously undertaken an online survey on the matter which had garnered an "overwhelmingly positive response" from local people.
"I was absolutely delighted to see new equipment going in at Castle Terrace," said Mr Glasgow, who jokingly added his only regret is that it didn't come in adult sizes. "This is a high-use play area beside a primary school and overlooked by residential properties. It is due to open in time for school return."
The community advocate, who has also been bringing colour to Thurso with the beaming blooms he plants, said that the equipment will be ready for use after a safety inspection has been carried out.
"I have been speaking with Karl Rosie on the wider matter of play areas, and thank him for listening. Local mums including Jill Innes and Sadie Kevil who are involved with other community-led groups are keen to offer advice or become part of a process. Another individual linked to a major energy provider is willing to offer funding advice.
"All new items are from Wicksteed with a swirl, pancake swing, seesaw, and two bouncers which look like something from Shrek. Wicksteed Park is the home of the witch's hat ride which is like being strapped to the wings of an Apache attack helicopter, and this is making a come-back with a new play theory of controlled risk."
Mr Glasgow said he also has a series of matchfunding requests in for an Excalibur picnic table at either Oldfield Terrace or Castle Terrace. These tables were highlighted in the online survey responses, being seen as family friendly and building an "intergenerational experience".
He also says he has kept ward councillors as well as the community council fully appraised on the matter and received "no material objections" and added that he had received a letter of support from the Caithness Disability Access Panel (CDAP) as well as verbal support from health care professionals and social housing officers.
"In June, the swing set was removed from Beach Road, and Thurso Community Council appeared unaware. The roundabout is beyond repair. They resolved, however to contact Castletown and District Community Council for advice on how their play area was funded.
"I saw little utility in that as I also am in touch with the community advocates in Castletown who were involved in the process. Castletown play area is of historical interest only. And surely a community council should lead enhancements in its own area?
"I also raised the matter of poor greasing on the inclusion roundabout at the boating pond but failed to obtain support. I thank CDAP for offering a letter of support for restoring one of perhaps the only two inclusion roundabouts in Caithness."
Mr Glasgow dismisses suggestions on social media that he is seeking to close play areas in the town and says it is the council that may end up decommissioning some. "By contacting officers, I determined the swings had been condemned. I am even more delighted to hear on the grapevine that new swings and a roundabout are being considered there [Castle Terrace].
"Previous administrations had a policy of removing units if repair were required. Under the new strategy and appointment of technicians, this has changed."
A Highland Council spokesperson told the paper yesterday (October 21): "The Amenities Team have confirmed that they have installed various items into the Castle Terrace playpark this week including one Wicksteed Basket swing, one gullwing see-saw, one hand whirl roundabout [and] two Spring mobiles. These items are in addition to the existing equipment within this busy playpark. The work will be finished today and the Heras fencing will be removed so the playpark can re-open today.
"The team will be moving onto the facility at Beach Road within the next two weeks to carry out improvements including installing a new roundabout and set of swings."
