Sutcliffe Play sponsor the Lifetime in Play in London Awards 2007
Polly Toynbee presented the Lifetime in Play in London Award
2007 to Sandra Melville, former director of PLAYLINK until retiring
in 2005. The Award, sponsored by Sutcliffe Play, was
presented at a Parliamentary Reception hosted by Rt Hon Lord Smith
of Finsbury on 29 March 2007.
London Play launched the award in 2005-06 to recognise the
contribution made by London’s playwork sector to the
happiness and well-being of London’s children and young
people. It is only the second time that the award is being
presented.
The Rt Hon Lord Smith of Finsbury, London Play’s newest
Patron, said: “I remember well being initiated into my
responsibilities as Secretary of State for Play. This was marked at
the Hayward Adventure Playground in my Islington constituency where
I simply had to have a go on the American swing, regardless of the
supposed dignity of my Cabinet status. I am pleased that the long
wait for lottery funding for play that I campaigned for is now
over, and that the first allocations are coming into the sector.
Sandra Melville was one of the people who never gave up. She kept
on knocking on Departmental doors, and always reminded us never to
lose sight of the needs of the child.”
Melian Mansfield, Chair of London Play, adds: “London Play
is delighted that the Award goes to Sandra Melville and that her
lifetime achievement can be given the public recognition it
deserves.”
Polly Toynbee, Guardian columnist and broadcaster, and London Play
Patron, said:
“Playworkers share in the lower status generally accorded to
work with children. But they face the added difficulty that their
work is to do with what is currently seen as the most marginal
aspect of children’s lives – their free time. I’m
pleased to present the award to Sandra Melville who has been an
active and effective advocate of children’s play for more
than 25 years. Though no longer professionally involved, she
maintains a strong personal commitment to the view that children
must have access to a variety of attractive and intriguing
environments for play.”
Sandra Melville says: “I am truly overwhelmed and deeply
honoured to receive the Lifetime in Play in London award. I have
been inspired by watching children play, seeing what they are
capable of when left to their own devices, entranced by their flair
and competence. I firmly believe that a right thinking society
guarantees time, and a multitude of spaces full of possibility, for
children to play freely. I regret the loss of intimate
neighbourhood adventure playgrounds, and despite some shining
counter examples, London’s school playgrounds remain a
disgracefully wasted resource. They need to be re-imagined as
‘places for play’ and then to be available to local
children out of school hours. There is still a lot to be done
– but it is for others now to carry forward the
momentum.”
Further information regarding London Play can be viewed
at www.londonplay.org.uk
Further details regarding Sutclliffe Play can be viewed at
www.sutcliffeplay.co.uk