Renata, if you're reading.. One o'c club

[Earl Aelfheah]

I really don't like the oversized metal frame on the swing. It's a real eyesore and supports a single, very small swing (compared to the usual ones made to this design). The random poles are odd, especially the larger of them and enough has already been said about the water feature and the lack of seating and fencing. Why didn't the council use the money to extend / improve the exiting play area?

[Earl Aelfheah]

By the way, this isn't about ingratitude for the facilities we are 'gifted' by the council. We fund this stuff and as long as the money is being spent, it should be spent thoughtfully.

[Renata Hamvas]

I'm chasing up on your questions with council officers and will post when I have more info, as I said above, this project was funded by a specific grant. Renata

[Otta]

We don't really fund this stuff. Council Tax is not the council's only income, and at times like this, when SEN kids are no longer getting transport to school (for example), I think we should be pretty grateful that some money has been found for play areas!

Sometimes it's like people think Southwark Council starts and ends with (the relatively wealthy) East Dulwich.

[Otta]

Having read back through this whole thread, Pickle is the only poster who sounds like a reasonable person.

If there is no fence, watch your children instead of sitting chatting! Sorry if that is harsh, but this thread has made my jaw drop.

[Pickle]

Ha ha, thanks Otta!

A couple of months on we have enjoyed many trips to the un-fenced play area (now that the kids are at school we're not 1 o'clock club users), and the kids love it. The wooden posts/wobbly boards/wooden beams are, in my humble opinion, fantastic at encouraging them to play and use their imaginations. They are pirate ships, princess castles, gymnastics beams...

Maybe being brought up in NZ (where most local playgrounds had a swing and if you were lucky, a slide, but lots of grass to run around and have fun on, and not a fence in sight) means I don't expect as much from a playground?

[Fuschia]

I have been put off by a child ending up with dog poo all over it

Sorry if that makes me seem

Churlish

I just don't understand why no fence? It seems elementary

My children love to climb the logs in the picnic Area, do no problem with 'natural play'

I just prefer not to combine it with heaps of dog shit

[Saffron]

I have no problem with unfenced playgrounds in general. However, this play area had a fence previously, so there was an expectation of the fence being replaced when renovations were completed.

[Pickle]

That's not strictly true though Saffron - the 1 o'clock club was fenced, and still is in it's revamped format. The new play area isn't part of the 1 o'clock club.

In terms of facilities for toddlers there's been no real change other than the space being utilised in a different way.

[Earl Aelfheah]

Otta Wrote:

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> We don't really fund this stuff. Council Tax is

> not the council's only income, and at times like

> this, when SEN kids are no longer getting

> transport to school (for example), I think we

> should be pretty grateful that some money has been

> found for play areas!

>

> Sometimes it's like people think Southwark Council

> starts and ends with (the relatively wealthy) East

>

Peckham isn't a relatively wealthy area, not that this is particularly relavent. One shouldn't be grateful simply because money is being spent, when it may not be getting spent wisely. Southwark council is funded by the taxpayer, So yes it is our money being spent.

[Otta]

Edit, because I really can't be bothered arguing.

[Saffron]

Pickle Wrote:

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> That's not strictly true though Saffron - the 1

> o'clock club was fenced, and still is in it's

> revamped format. The new play area isn't part of

> the 1 o'clock club.

Fair enough. And this thread is actually about the 1 o'clock club. But...

>

> In terms of facilities for toddlers there's been

> no real change other than the space being utilised

> in a different way.

...and that's a great shame, considering the time and effort put into altering this area. It's frustrating that the equipment, like climbing frames, aimed at older childen is so exclusive of toddlers. There are ways that such equipment could have been made to accomodate both.

As far as fencing goes in general, I too grew in an area with a lot of unfenced playgrouds. I feel like for my experience at least, it can't be compared. This is b/c with such wide open spaces, there was plenty of room for dogs and cycles w/o clashing with children's play areas. This doesn't seem to be the case in so many play areas in London. The dog poo issue really puts me off.

Indeed with all the ongoing issues, Little Saff and I have been avoiding P Rye 1 o'clock club and associated play area in favour of CP 1 o'clock club and park. I know we're not the only ones doing this. It all adds up to lost revenue for the cafe and PR 1 o'clock club, which is really unfortunate b/c it's otherwise such a nice area.

If cost is an issue for the area not belonging to the 1 o'clock club, could a smaller fence be put around just the equipment/area where toddlers play? xx

[Saffron]

Otta Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Edit, because I really can't be bothered arguing.

Yes, arguing can become counter productive. Actually it's a decent play area, with a few issues. It would just be wonderful if after all the time and effort spent, a few details could be proactively addressed so that it could be a GREAT play area. xx

[the-e-dealer]

My stepson has had a wonderful time in the new play area he likes it much better than he traditional one. fence would be good and some seats with backs for us old uns would be good!.

[Fuschia]

Went down today and heaved 4 children over the fence into the toddler area!

I keep seeing that that area is still available for little ones. It if that's so.

, shouldnt there be an unlocked gate?

ESP since the one o'c club is no longer open every day

[Norfolkvillas]

Yes, I second Fuschia's question - my toddler isn't really keen on the unfenced stuff, so stood crying at the gate and pointing at the coloured equipment within the locked gated area yesterday. Next time I shall do as Fuschia did and just lift him over.

[Fuschia]

There were lots of children in there! Only thing us you can't lift a buggy over

But I am sure from what I read, it was planned that the fenced off area would be available when the one o'c club was shut

Certainly that was in the original plans and I think renata mentioned it recently

[Pickle]

I didn't realise the 1 o'clock club is no longer open every day... is it permanent, or a temporary change? A big shame if it's permanent.

[Renata Hamvas]

Fushia-I'm waiting for answers to my questions on fencing etc

Pickle- the reduced days are due to staff shortages, as the current funding/contracts run until April next year some staff have left.

In terms of the one O clock club future in general, Vikki, Gavin and I were at a meeting last night to discuss the future of the club. We are totally committed for there to be a one O clock club. It would cost 6 pounds per child per visit to run the service as it is, we gave the thumbs down to charging for the club. The current building is a ex-POW hut and not fit for purpose. The substantial costs to build a new building have been secured. There are funds to pay for the upkeep and running costs of the building and for toys/equipment. Southwark has 5 one O clock clubs. 2 will be run by local childrens centres who will get use of the premises of these clubs. In terms of Peckham Rye club, the same avenue is currently being explored with local children's centres. This would mean they would run the one O clock club. The other althernative is that parents would run the club, with a designated steering group being in charge of Keys and keeping the place clean and tidy, etc. We would like to have a meeting with local residents who have a interest in the club in mid-November. Please contact me or post here to let me know if you prefer a daytime or evening meeting (times?) where you would like it held and we are looking at dates with council officers.

In terms of rebuilding, this would probably happen around next April and could mean that the club would close for 3-4 months while the new building goes up.

Renata

[ClaireinSE22]

Renata - that's great news - I'm so pleased to hear that the service will continue in some form - children's centres are Sure Start centres? I assume that there would still be open sessions with the same regularity as presently? I'd vote for an evening meeting - anywhere local would suit. Many thanks.