Snug takes centre stage at London PlayFest
Snug, Sutcliffe Play’s innovative range of ‘free
play’ equipment, developed with award-winning artists Snug
& Outdoor, was a star feature at London PlayFest.
Large parts of a Snug kit, more usually seen in primary school
playgrounds, were available for children to play on, just outside
the entrance to the Museum of London.
London PlayFest marked the 10th anniversary of London Play, a
voluntary organisation that works to increase and improve spaces
and opportunities for children throughout London.
London PlayFest provided a wide variety of play activities
ranging from those from centuries ago to those from the present
day. Sutcliffe Play has been closely involved with London Play for
many years, both as a supporter and major award sponsor.
“On the day Snug showed visitors how bleak play areas can
be transformed into captivating play spaces, enabling children of
all abilities to be creative, innovative and above all have
fun,” said Robin Sutcliffe, Managing Director of Sutcliffe
Play.
London PlayFest enables families to enjoy a day of fantastic
activities. In addition to Snug equipment, this year’s event
included parachute games, giant skittles, den building, the ever
popular dream catchers, and a fashion show of garments made from
newspapers and bin liners! The London PlayFest encourages physical
play and demonstrates that engaging play costs nothing.
Lucie Amos, Head of Community and Audience Development at Museum
of London said: “London Play can have an important and
positive affect on the development, health and happiness of our
youngest Londoners. By supporting better play opportunities in the
capital they are also supporting the future health of the city
itself. When we look at the novels of Charles Dickens,
overcrowding, illnesses and lack of opportunities loom large in the
lives of London's young, yet we should remember that these problems
are not confined to London's past. London has the highest obesity
rate in the country and a shocking 30% of the city's children today
are living in overcrowded conditions. London Play is making an
important contribution to changing this picture and the Museum of
London is proud to support their work.”
London Play’s vision is simple yet challenging: ensuring
that London becomes ‘a capital city where all children can
play’. This passion is shared by Museum of London in its work
to communicate the social history of London to local communities
and the wider world. Both groups aim to make London a place for
everybody to enjoy.
London Play Patron, Rt Hon Lord (Chris) Smith of
Finsbury, House of Lords said: “The enormous
importance of well structured play for children as they’re
growing up cannot be emphasised enough. And its importance in the
urban environment of London is even greater. The work of London
Play, in pressing constantly over ten years for better play
provision and accessibility, has been nothing short of
miraculous.”
The Lifetime in Play in London Award 2008 was presented to Bob
Hughes, and a special commemorative anniversary edition of London
Play News was also launched at the event.
Learn more about Sutcliffe Play visit
www.sutcliffeplay.co.uk