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Bid to end 'no ball games' culture
1:49pm Friday 4th April 2008
By Tom Moseley »
CHILDREN are to benefit from an end to the "no ball games culture" on recreation grounds after being given millions of pounds to develop play areas.
A flagship adventure playground will be built in Witton Park, Blackburn, with almost 30 smaller facilities to be created across the borough as part of the scheme.
And Experts say the move will help children's development and improve the borough's poor health.
Blackburn with Darwen Council has been given £2.5million after being named as one of 20 Play Pathfinder' areas across the country.
The council's director of leisure and culture Steve Rigby said: "We want to put an end to the no ball games' culture.
"Children have a right to play and have fun. As well as making them happy, it also makes them healthy. Play is a great form of exercise and will help contribute to their overall health and well being."
Peter Morgan, executive director of children's services, added: "Play develops thinking skills, creativity, decision making and social skills."
Blackburn with Darwen borough has the second highest proportion of under 19s in the country, and a recent report by Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust revealed only 20 per cent of school-age children took part in sport and exercise outside school.
It also has high levels of poor health and low life expectancy.
The move is aimed at reversing the culture of banning ball games at small recreation grounds close to houses because of fears about public nuisance.
Lancashire Telegraph medical expert Dr Tom Smith said: "It's been awful in recent years, because people have been frightened to let their children play in playgrounds.
"But it is healthy for children at that age to take risks, it helps their development. And interacting with other children as much as possible is vital at that age.
"This is great news - it will improve children's health and will be much better than sitting at home playing computer games."
The government said the council had shown "vision and strategy" for developing adventure playgrounds.
A Big Lottery grant and contributions from developers will be added to the government award. As well as the Witton Park playground, which will be partly designed by children, another 28 smaller sites will be developed. Park rangers given extra training to encourage youngsters to play, and volunteer neighbourhood play ambassadors' recruited.
Lancashire county council will also get given about £1million after the county was named as one of 43 Playbuilder' areas. The cash will be spent on play areas aimed at younger children and with smaller equipment than adventure playgrounds.
Your Say YourTelegraph
Nigel St. Hubbins, Darwen says...
7:24pm Fri 4 Apr 08
On the upside less kids playing computer games and out playing on the streets will benefit the environment and stop obesity.
Tim, Darwen says...
8:25pm Fri 4 Apr 08
John, Darwen says...
8:29pm Fri 4 Apr 08
Wuudle Duudle, says...
12:54am Sat 5 Apr 08
That's the law in brief.
S, B'burn says...
10:45am Sat 5 Apr 08
John wrote:Yep, couldn't have put it better myself.
Realist you are part of the problem, get off your lazy arse and take the kids to the rec and when your' kids damage someone's car parked legally outside your house then accept responsibility you hypocrite!
Well said John.
jcb, says...
1:58pm Sat 5 Apr 08
Nicky, Ewood says...
7:50pm Sat 5 Apr 08
I think that's really sad. Not only does it keep your children active, but it's also about making friends, being part of a team and I think it's important to children's development. But it's so much easier to shove them infront of the tv with the playstation on and leave them to it. How sad.
I'm pleased about the parks though, my kids love going to the park - any chance of one on Fernhurst?? Please?
Alex, East Sussex says...
5:02pm Mon 28 Apr 08
Wuudle Duudle wrote:I would like to know where I can find the full details regarding the law of street games as I am experiencing a big problem. The worst part of it is that it is dangerous and one of these children is going to end up in a serious condition. One has already been run over but only monor injury but still nobody has taken any action.
It is an offence to play ball games on a public road if it is to the annoyance of road users. It is likely that ball games played on a public road will be to the immediate annoyance of road users. It is also a breach of bye-laws to play ball games to the annoyance of those living near by.
That\'s the law in brief.
Prefer emails please to:
englishgerman282@bti
nternet.com
S Worden, Herts says...
5:21am Thu 29 May 08
How do you think we used to produce wonderful talents like Barnes, Beardsley, Gascoigne and Linker etc in the necessary numbers to succeed?
Well now we know the answer, as you fools have forced the end of street football almost and I'll bet you prats that you are were the first ones to jump up, scream at Mclaren and condemn the England football side when Petric's thunderbolt knocked us out of Euro 2008, well guess what stupid faintheart prats?
It's YOU, you're the
reason - We have ample coaches, good enough academies and enough kids to produce great footballers but what we now DON'T have is the spontaneous genius that produces players like Joe Cole, Kaka, Messi etc and why?
Because idiots like you with your bleeding hearts need to look after the little darlings and not let them learn on their own or your stupid pathetic worries that they won't be safe on the road when they'd probably be quicker (and safer) than you are the ones who killed it.
YOU are the ones who stand condemned of helping ruin English football and all the other games that needed new genius from youngsters that comes from street games and like the idiots that you are, you probably don't even recognise it do you? Fools, I hope you're VERY happy with what you've done as there is NO way the damage that you and your archaic attitudes have done will be undone overnight - Well done (not).......
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realist, Rishton says...
6:32pm Fri 4 Apr 08
owing stones and fighting so i will continue to allow my children to play football outside my house and if you happen to park your car outside MY house and it gets damaged then it is TOUGH! Park somewhere else, the streets are for the children and the Police and communities need to recognise this fact before we turn into a nation of computer geeks sharing life stories with wierdos! The council need to recognise the needs of these children but also some of the parents need to take note of what their children are actually upto as they are not the little angels that they appear to be! Children need to be allowed to be children, think for themselves and develop their own personalities without the added pressures of not being able to express themselves because of over-handling by police officers who do not know the laws of the land of which we live! Give them something to do, something to aim for, something to be! Parents also need to make an effort to become involved with their children, after all they are the ones that had them, and take them to clubs, either music, sport or drama - regardless of whether it interests you! Its their lives and you should have the decency to protect them and encourage them! Sod the cars on the street, many parked upon pavements which are a real pain! LET THE KIDS LIVE!