Children kicked off play area

Obesity in children is a favourite media topic so one would think people would be encouraging them to take regular exercise and to play as many sports as possible.

Alas! This philosophy does not appear to apply to certain people in the Barn Road area of Shifnal, nor to Bridgnorth District Council.

Apparently, an area known as The Green, where children have played regularly for years, has been declared a "no-play zone".

A very nice man from the council visited to ensure us he was "just doing my job" when telling us our children would have to refrain from playing on the green.

So, where are they supposed to play? They are not allowed to play on the school grounds at Idsall or the adjoining primary school.

The answer to my question? "You'll have to keep them in the garden for now," was the reply.

But not everyone has a garden big enough for four or five children to have a kickaround with a football.

What happens when the ball goes over your next door neighbour's fence? I'm sure they'll be pleased about the constant traipsing over their back gardens or persistent knocks on the door.

The children who use the green are aged between seven and 12 so a trip to the nearest park is not always practical, nor indeed safe as it involves crossing busy roads and passing areas where drug dealing has been known to take place.

At the moment parents who live around The Green are able to keep an eye on their offspring from their homes and ensure that they are playing safely without causing any offence. But it appears that this is not good enough for some people.

Name & address supplied