Wicksteed Builds Playground in Memory Of First Female Soldier Killed on Active Service In Iraq
Wicksteed Leisure – market leaders in the play equipment
industry, have recently transformed a site with great sadness
behind it.
The newly refurbished play area at Cherry Orchard in Kent was
ceremoniously opened last week in honour of Sarah-Jayne
Mulvihill. Dedicated to the 32 year old British servicewoman,
who was tragically killed in action in Iraq in May 2006, the
rejuvenated area will provide much pleasure to the young people of
Herne. Sadly, Sarah-Jayne was one of 5 service personnel who
lost their lives in the line of duty when a Royal Navy Lynx
helicopter was shot down in Basra.
Having moved to Herne with her parents when she was a child,
Sarah-Jayne enjoyed playing at the Cherry Orchard recreation ground
and it was here that her parents, Terry and Susan Poole who still
live in the area, officially named the revamped site after their
daughter.
Happy children clamber on
Wicksteed’s Tarzan Crossing
at Sarah-Jayne’s Memorial Play Area
Wicksteed, who won the contract jointly funded by Canterbury
City Council and Herne and Broomfield Parish Council, has
completely rejuvenated the play area, installing exciting and
challenging playground equipment to enhance the facilities for
children of all ages in Sarah-Jayne’s childhood
village.
Although the park is now very different from the days when
Sarah-Jayne played there, it is a fitting memorial to a brave
soldier ~ the first British female soldier to have been
killed in action in Iraq and it is already being well used and
fully appreciated by local children.
For further information relating to Wicksteed visit: www.wicksteed.co.uk