Archived News 2007
Santa’s sleigh brings Lottery play for England’s kids
19.12.2007 - It’s going to be a playful New Year for children across England as the Big Lottery Fund today announces 201 grants, totalling a massive £67.5 million to provide new play facilities from Northumberland to Cornwall. Read more
Quartet with 50 years experience join Proludic
18.12.2007 - Proludic are pleased and excited to announce the appointment of four new members of staff that will further assist in raising our profile within the industry. Read more
Plan for children being unveiled
11.12.2007 - The government is unveiling its 10-year "vision" for children, which includes proposals to ask schools in England to provide wider serives for parents. Read more
API Membership for Notts Sport
05.12.2007 - Sport and play sector company Notts Sport has gained membership of the Association of Play Industries (API), the main UK trade body within the play sector.
Read more
Marshfield play area looks ‘10-years-younger’ !
04.12.2007 - A local playground in Wellford Road, Marshfield, has been given a 10-Years-Younger-style makeover by leading play equipment company Wicksteed Playscapes, based in Northamptonshire - transforming it from a tired and worn eyesore into a stimulating and inspiring place to play. Read more
Wash cycle helps recycle
04.12.2007 - The eco-cycle on your washing machine won’t be the only contribution it makes to saving the environment thanks to a new spin on recycling from a leading manufacturer of playground equipment. Read more
Playworld celebrates the return of Bob
29.11.2007 - Playworld Systems Europe is re-introducing talking Bob, back by popular demand. This fun and robust outdoor play device is totally kid-powered with no batteries.
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Catering for the Community
29.11.2007 - Kinoulton Parish Council had a budget of £20,000 to spend on refurbishing the run down and out of date equipment at Kinoulton Primary School Play Area. The timber based play equipment that was no longer being used by the children of Kinoulton needed updating to bring it in line with the needs of the community as a whole.
Read more
The future of outdoor play? - BBC Radio 4
26.11.2007 - The API was one of the industry experts interviewed on BBC Radio 4 on Friday's You and Yours programme. The feature included Robert Goss, representing the manufacturers on behalf of the Association of Play Industries(API), Adrain Voce, Director of Play England and Sue Palmer, Writer, broadcaster and consultant on education of young children. Listen Again
Primary School Play
20.11.2007 - Award winning artists Snug & Outdoor and Sutcliffe Play, one of the leading designers and manufacturers of children’s play equipment, have announced the arrival of ‘Snug’, a revolutionary new concept for school playgrounds. Read more
Trio of awards brings joy to Essex kids
19.11.2007 - Children from an Essex village will benefit from brand new play equipment after the local council won a hat trick of awards – including a £350 voucher from Wicksteed Playscapes. Read more
Kids create a Monsta in Bridgend
19.11.2007 - Where do you go if you want to design some of the best playground equipment in the world? You go to the real experts: the kids themselves. Read more
Zingo - the birth of fresh idea
15.11.2007 - SMP Playgrounds, one of the world’s leading designers, manufacturers and installers of outdoor play equipment, launches their latest groundbreaking innovation, Zingo.
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BSEN 1176/1177 Playground Safety Standards - 2008 Revisions
08.11.2007 - The Play Inspection Company, in Association with Wicksteed Playscapes will be running events across the UK during 2008, focusing mainly on the forthcoming updaes to the safety standars for children's playground equipment and surfacing. Read more
Playtime Pastimes
05.11.2007 - The new Yo-Yo swing from Wicksteed Playscapes is the latest in a long line of innovation from the Kettering-based play equipment manufacturer – 90 years of innovation to be precise! Read more
There’s new life in the old site
Picture the scene, a young woman revisits the local village play area with her five year old son, a special place she used to enjoy when she was a child. Looking forward to sharing her memories and watching her son play on that same equipment in the quiet setting of Sproughton in Ipswich, Andrea Wedgwood was sadly disappointed. Read more
Risk aversion is undermining childhood, new report claims
We all want to keep children safe – but are we going the right way about it? By over protecting children we stop them developing the skills and resilience they need to protect themselves – while those working with children can become so anxious about risk prevention they lose confidence in their own good judgement. Read more
Campaigning mums’ dreams become child’s play thanks to Wicksteed Playscapes
Children from Crook, in County Durham, celebrated this week after parent power – and a helping hand from Wicksteed Playscapes – brought them a brand new play area.
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Playworld takes NEOS on the road
Following the success of the launch of Neos at Saltex 2007, Playworld Systems Europe is embarking on a road show, allowing customers to try out the new outdoor electronic gaming system. Read more
Walkers invests in 21st century playgrounds with Playdale
The intelligent play system (i.play) a revolutionary new electronic playground system designed to get the Playstation generation off the couch is playing a prominent role in two new £100,000 playgrounds provided to Leicester and Reading councils by Walkers, part of PepsiCo who also owns Tropicana and Quaker. Read more
PPA New Start Up Information
The PPA has just created a new pack for potential new indoor play operators. The PDF document contains useful information about the indoor play market as well as standards guidelines and PPA information. To obtain a copy simply complete the form on the PPA website. Click here
A plethora of play experiences - both natural and prescribed
Set in the centre of town within 17 hectares of natural woodland, Town Park is the largest play area in Harlow and has just benefited from a massive £135k contract which was awarded to Wicksteed Playscapes. Read more
21st century play design in natural landscaping
Grassy mounds, white sands, meandering paths, leafy arches alongside funky fitness and play equipment ~ where would you find all that? Wicksteed Playscape’s stand at Windsor racecourse is the answer! Read more
Safer Games in Greek Playgrounds
Playtop Licensing Limited, the Newark-based supplier of impact-absorbing play surfacing, has added to its growing list of overseas licensees by appointing Ergosport to cover the Greece and Cyprus territories. Read more
Surfacing Spreads in Scandinavia
Locations across Scandinavia are converting in their droves from loose fill play surfacing to wet-pour Playtop since the company opened a Scandinavian office earlier this year.
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People's Millions
Playdale Playgrounds have recently worked alongside The White Lion Recreation Association based in Wiltshire, helping them on their project funded by the People’s Millions. The People’s Millions is a scheme run by the Big Lottery Fund partnered by ITV, whereby 131 community projects across the UK reached the final public vote stage.
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eibe Play wows National Childrens Centre and Extended Schools Exhibition in London
This was the largest ever, indoor and outdoor nursery show case space in Europe. The message was clear, and the visitors to the show, over 1500 of them, from Children’s Centres and Nursery Chains from all over the country were buzzing from the ideas and solutions offered by the working children’s centre provided by the eibe play team.
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Exciting play with limited budget
The Chappel Parish Council project highlights our ability to work with the existing features and limited budgets of an area and bring new and exciting play elements that compliment and enhance the natural landscape. Read more
Gold Award for Record RSS at Saltex 2007
Record RSS, who are renowned for their forward thinking design in outdoor play equipment, have received the Gold Stand Merit Award for outstanding design and layout at IOG Saltex 2007. Read more
New website for Playforce
Playforce, one of the country’s leading providers of playground equipment, has a new website which not only provides comprehensive details about the company’s products but also acts as an online information store. Read more
Hand Made Places stand out in outdoor play
Hand Made Places, creator of innovative play scapes for learning and fun, has picked up the Gold Award for outstanding stand design and layout for the second year running at IOG Saltex 2007. Read more
Standing Room Only at Free LIW Indoor Play Seminars
This year’s API Seminar Programme will be packed at Leisure Industry Week (LIW), NEC Birmingham, the UK’s biggest leisure attractions industry event. On 27 September at LIW the API will host informative seminars for indoor play operators and people planning to set up their own new centre. All will hear the latest industry news and information. Read more
Playdale expands Sales Team
Playdale Playgrounds Ltd is delighted to announce that two new Area Sales Managers have joined their team. Read more
Authority aims for Carbon Neutral Playground
A chance conversation between the chairman of Playtop Limited and the leader of Nottinghamshire County Council is now the basis for what could be a unique partnership between the public and private sector to look at new ways of promoting recycling and the use of sustainable materials in play surfacing. Read more
Wicksteed reach new heights
It’s time to look at Wicksteed Leisure from a very different perspective. A total re-branding exercise has recently been carried out at the Kettering-based company and a fresh, streamline and inspirational new look has emerged. Read more
API Seminar Dedicated to Indoor Play
The API is hosting a educational seminar aimed at the indoor play industry at this years
Leisure Industry Week - LIW event at the NEC, on the 27th September 2007 Read more
Futuristic Play
SMP, reveals how architecture has been influential in the development and design of playgrounds. Read more
Oxford City Council awards contract to Playtop
Playtop Limited has won a contract to supply and fit impact-absorbing surfacing to Oxford City Council for the next three years. Read more
Kids go mad for the NEXUS Freeride
SMP Playgrounds, one of the UK’s leading designers, manufacturers and installers of outdoor play equipment are finding continued success with their Nexus Freeride, a play product that mimics popular extreme sports such as Snowboarding, Skateboarding and Surfing. Read more
Councils go for Climbing Boulders
Playworld Systems’ climbing boulders are gaining popularity amongst councils up and down the country for their appeal to all age groups. Read more
New website for new image
Outdoor Playground Company Record RSS have launched their brand new website. The websites new design and layout reflects the company’s new funkier image. Read more
Selective surfacing makes for effective spending!
With growth in awareness of health and safety regulations and the threat of legal action for non-compliance, local authorities and businesses are increasingly looking at ways to upgrade the safety of their concrete-surfaced play areas. Read more
Beating the Bog
A BOGGY garden and inclement weather were proving unwelcome obstacles to play times for a Tamworth pre-school until they called in the playground experts. Read more
Outstanding Play Equipment for Outstanding School
PUPILS at Taunton’s Bishop Henderson Church of England School, judged ‘outstanding’ after a recent Ofsted inspection, have bounced there way to buying exciting and challenging new playground equipment. Read more
New Guide for Playground Safety Surfacing
Matta Products playground safety surfacing booklet is new and it is free. The 16-page ‘Guide to Playground Safety Surfacing’ is launched this month. It is aimed to help play providers, playground designers and specifiers, especially in local government, make the right choices from all the available options. Read more
Next Generation of Playground Equipment
The Intelligent Play System from Playdale takes gaming technology into the playground
and makes exercise fun for the ‘Playstation generation’ . Read more
Exciting New Concept Brings Electronic Games Outdoors
Making its debut at Saltex in early September will be Neos, an exciting new product from Playworld Systems, which brings electronic gaming to the outdoor play space. Read more
Playdale Goes Green
Environmental issues are becoming an increasing concern and here at Playdale we are committed to reducing the impact on the environment through each and every one of our business activities. Read more
A New Way to Discover The World of Play
Kompan launches CD-Rom packed full of essential information. Read more
What's In Your Street?
Playday, the annual celebration of children’s right to play, takes place on Wednesday 1 August 2007. Read more
First in Europe for SMP’s Arena®
After undergoing stringent testing SMP’s Arena multi-sports systems will now bear the GS and TÜV Certification Marks of compliance. Read more
Local Company in Dalby Dash
Playground Company Record RSS have taken part in the British Heart Foundation sponsored bike ride. The event was held in Dalby Forest on Sunday 10 June. Read more
Increasing trend for Ball Court Schemes
Playworld Systems’ new range of Ball Courts are proving immensely popular around the country with both local authorities and housing developers. Read more
It may look nice, but is it cool?
How on earth do you design and build a product for the 7 to 15 year old market and get it right? How can it satisfy the needs of a consumer group who wouldn’t leave the house if they had the wrong trainers on? Read more
Designing for the "tweens"
SMP Playgrounds has built an enviable reputation in the global play equipment market, however, is it their ability to create products for the 7 to 15 year olds, or ‘tween’ market that makes SMP different? Liz Bright – European Marketing Manager for SMP Playgrounds explains.... Read more
Playdale Wins National Contract
Europe’s largest touring organisation, The Caravan Club, has awarded playground equipment specialist, Playdale, a nationwide contract to install and maintain over 120 brand new play areas at Caravan Club sites throughout the UK. Read more
European Record Set With Interative Splash Park
Sun Safe Play and Hippo Leisure Products have completed a revolutionary new pirate themed, fully interactive splash park for Flamingoland, Yorkshire which is currently the largest interactive splash park in Europe. Read more
Kids go mad for the NEXUS freeride
SMP Playgrounds, one of the worlds leading designers, manufacturers and installers of outdoor play equipment are still finding success with their Nexus Freeride, a play product that mimics popular extreme sports such as Snowboarding, Skateboarding and Surfing.
Read more
Setting the Standard
The new European Safety Standard for Free Access Neighbourhood Sports Facilities, commonly known as Multi Use Games Area’s (MUGA’s) has now been passed and coded EN15312. Playdale are delighted to announce that their timber/aluminium Agorespace range of Multi Sports Courts comply fully with this standard. Read more
Authority Aims For Carbon Nuetral Playground
A chance conversation between the chairman of Playtop Limited and the leader of Nottinghamshire County Council is now the basis for what could be a unique partnership between the public and private sector to look at new ways of promoting recycling and the use of sustainable materials in play surfacing. Read more
RPII Expands it Examination Portfolio
A new exam to certify the competence of indoor play inspectors is now launched by the
Register of Play Inspectors International (RPII). It aims to meet demand boosted by rapid
growth in indoor play or family entertainment centre (FEC) numbers - set to double in the
next few years. Read more
NPFA gets FIT for the Future
The National Playing Fields Association (NPFA), the charity that safeguards and improves the United Kingdom’s playing fields, outdoor recreation areas and playgrounds, has changed its working name to Fields in Trust (FIT) and adopted a contemporary visual identity to reflect its expanding role. Read more
Marwell Zoo’s new Encounter Village features new play areas and family friendly safer surfacing
Playgrounds (UK) Limited built two new play areas for Marwell Zoo’s new Encounter Village and Australian Biome and laid its PLAYfall™ wetpour with aboriginal themed graphics throughout the Village. Read more
Eco Friendly School Chooses Eco-Friendly Playground
BEING green is an important part of life at Kehelland Village School, so much so that when it came to choosing new playground equipment sustainability was a deciding factor.
The school on the outskirts of Camborne believes in being environmentally friendly and wanted to buy a trim trail from a company that has sustainability at its heart. Read more
Lesley Knight is new API Chairwoman
In this two-year appointment, Lesley Knight succeeds Phil Holden. For the last two years Ms Knight has been vice chair then chairwoman for indoor play - a role in which she
continues. Read more
Newly Qualified RPII Operational Inspectors understand the Full Implications of Inspections
The Register for Play Inspectors International Ltd (RPII) was set up to accredit and certify individual inspectors who have shown the required level of knowledge and demonstrated competence to the required levels. Read more
Challenging Obstacles Channel Children's Energies
A playground make-over for a Milton Keynes school is channelling energy and improving behaviour. Read more
Merger provides serious fun
SPI Play (Europe) Ltd, based in North Wales, is pleased to announce that through its recent discussions with The Play Mart Group, based in Italy, it intends to merge to form the world’s largest commercial play supply company. Read more
Lifetrail Takes Off
Playworld’s new concept for older generation fitness, LifeTrail, has recently caught the attention of Welsh councils looking to fulfil the needs of the Welsh Assembly ‘Climbing Higher Initiative.’ Read more
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. Read more
Playworld Systems Wins More Awards
Playworld Systems Europe marked another successful year by winning a total of 3 awards at the group’s international sales conference. Read more
Record Rss Sponsors 160ft Bungee Jump
Outdoor play equipment specialist, Record RSS is sponsoring its loyal customer Wayne Raistrick of Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire, in his charity bungee jump off the Middlesbrough Transporter bridge. The 160ft jump which will take place on the 25th March 2007 is in aid of Bradford neo-natal unit. Read more
Wicksteed Builds Playground In Memory of Female Soldier
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. Read more
Al Fresco Learning For Local Children
An Aylesbury primary school has two new outside classrooms to make learning more exciting. Read more
Stock Module Satisfaction in South Hams
Public Sector Software (PSS) began working in partnership with South Hams approximately18 months ago. The project was to expand the functionality of StaySafe – an asset management solution for Local Authority owned assets, to allow them to manage their building maintenance service and stock control of materials. Read more
New Playground a Triumph for Village Community
The joint forces of a group of Oxfordshire villagers have revolutionised education for the community’s youngest members. Read more
A Fun Way to Learn & Earn
PUPILS at a Northampton school are fast becoming the next generation of business moguls thanks to new playground equipment. Read more
Extra Fun & Games For School Children
The extra fun and games inspired by a new timber trail at a Birmingham school has had a positive impact on the whole of school life. Read more
BBC Films at Playtop
Always on the look out for interesting stories, the BBC approached Playtop about doing a piece on the company for it's Working Lunch programme on BBC2. See the footage by clicking here.
Playtop Releases DVD
A DVD aimed at both specifiers and purchasers of outdoor play surfacing has just been released by Playtop, the Newark and Edinburgh-based wet-pour surfacing company.
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Scandinavian expansion for Playtop
The international expansion of play surfacing provider, Playtop Limited, has stepped up a gear with the opening of a Playtop office in Odense, Denmark and the appointment of Thomas Moller-Nielsen as its International Business Development Manager for Scandinavia. Read more
New School Playground Improves Pupil Behavious
NEW playground equipment has dramatically improved pupil behaviour at a West Yorkshire school. Read more
Playworld Invest In People
Playworld Systems Europe has just been recognised as an Investors in People registered company, achieving the standard in only 12 months. Read more
Tsunami Children’s delight with ‘Challenge Anneka’ Playground
A special episode of Challenge Anneka has been shown on ITV1 after a 12 year break. The special was aired on Boxing Day, the second anniversary of the Sri Lanka Tsunami that devastated over 1 million people and killed around 200,000. Read more
UK's first hi-tech playground
Peterborough City Council is opening the UK’s first hi-tech playground in a bid to get the city's kids (and their parents and grandparents!) active. Read more
Two Playground Companies Merge
Record Playground Equipment have announced that effective from 1 January 2007, have merged with RSS Playmakers to create Record RSS. This makes them the 4th largest outdoor play company in the UK. Read more
Child Friendly Upton Provides Framwork for UK
A ground-breaking new approach to developing child-friendly towns and villages throughout the UK was unveiled Friday, December 8th in the former mining community of Upton, near Wakefield. Read more
Wastland becomes Enchanged Playground
PLAYFORCE, the premier provider of school playground equipment, has transformed a wasteland into an enchanted playground for a group of Somerset schoolchildren.
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A Playworld Facelift for Malvern Play Area
Playworld Systems has just given the Adam Lea Play Area in Malvern a creative and fun facelift, with the help of LoopyWhoops, FlipFlops and Lily Pods! Read more
Outdoor Classroom Changes Atmosphere In School
A PLAYFORCE outdoor classroom has added an extra dimension to both learning and living at a West Sussex school. Read more
The Complete Guide to setting up an FEC
The Play Providers Association (PPA) have published a useful book giving invaluable guidance to people thinking of starting up a Family Entertainment Centre (FEC),
Read more
New Playground Challenge for Primary Pupils
NEW school playground equipment for King George VI School, near Kings Lynn, is not only exercising the pupils but also stimulating their imaginations. Read more
Start of Construction - Withy Grove Park - Bamber Bridge
Withy Grove Park in Bamber Bridge is about to undergo a major transformation. With a £500,000 investment from South Ribble Council an open green space adjacent to the Leisure Centre will be transformed into one of the largest play areas in the North West.
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Play England National Policy and Practice Seminars
As part of our programme for supporting the development of local play strategies, Play England will be holding a series of FREE policy and practice seminars over the next four months. Read more
Playforce Becomes Example of Business Excellence
Playforce, a Witlshire-based company that specialises in school playground equipment, has been recognised for its high quality products and excellent service by being awarded Beacon Company status by the Government-backed organisation Beacon South West. Read more
Duke Visits Playtop
His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent KG has made an official visit to Playtop Limited, unveiling a plaque at the company’s Newark headquarters to commemorate his visit.
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A Bigger Better Playground for Chatsmead
AFTER lots of saving and fund-raising events, the pupils of Chadsmead Primary School in Staffordshire now have their new Playforce playground equipment. Read more