Shropshire Star

End of the road for Shropshire's fun-filled Playbus

It has brought fun to children throughout Shropshire as well as a few hours' welcome relief for harassed parents. But now after about 30 years, the Shropshire Playbus is being axed because it is no longer "financially viable".

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Bosses say it has been challenging to fund the £45,000 a year needed to run the operation. The Shropshire Playbus Association said it reluctantly made its decision to close at its recent annual meeting.

After 30 years, it's the end of the road for the brightly-painted Playbus

The Shropshire Playbus has trundled into the 21st century and crashed into a different world to that in which it was originally conceived.

Consequently the wheels have come off and, after around 30 years, the specially designed double-decker bus which brought fun direct to Shropshire's children, is being axed.

This decision by Shropshire Playbus Association has been made reluctantly, but is a sign of changing times. The Playbus is no longer financially viable.

First and foremost, let us say a big thank you to all those who have been involved in providing this service, which aimed to bring play to families and children living in physical or social isolation. They have gone out there and helped spread fun, happiness and joy. Those sort of things, which enrich and uplift young lives, cannot be measured in balance sheets or statistics. The reward comes from the smiles and laughter, and the shrieks of delight of children at play.

Peter Dunhill, a founder member of the association and current treasurer, said: "After nearly 30 years and four differently designed double-decker buses, the Shropshire Playbus Association has decided that the wheels on the bus are finally going to have to stop going round and round Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin.

"When we started the Shropshire Playbus, the county had lots of voluntary-run playgroups and parent and toddler groups, and we helped by going to places in rural and suburban areas where they did not exist.

"We also supported groups running holiday play schemes.

"Over the years these groups have dwindled because people now want nursery care that allows them to go to work.

"The Playbus was never about childcare, as parents and cares had to accompany their children – it has always been about creative family play. In many ways we feel we have done our job and it's now time to move on.

"Recently it has been increasingly challenging to attract and justify funding to keep the £45,000 per year operation going, although support-giving bodies like the Roy Fletcher Trust, Shropshire's Surestart programme, the Westcroft Trust, the Millichope Foundation, the Armed Forces Covenant, Shropshire Housing and Severnside Housing have been extremely generous.

"Running the Playbus just in the school holidays, when there is high demand, was just not financially viable."

A farewell session to celebrate the achievements of the playbus will be held on April 2 at Buttercup Lodge in Corndon Crescent, Sundorne, Shrewsbury, from 1pm to 4pm.

The Shropshire Playbus Association says it is being held to thank everyone who has played, worked or helped on the playbus, or supported it over the years.

Mr Dunhill added: "Some of the first generation of children who came on the 'Gentle Giant' Playbus in the early years now have children of their own who have enjoyed playing on 'BOB'.

After 30 years, it's the end of the road for the brightly-painted Playbus

"Denise Fras and Dihanne Price – both longstanding and enthusiastic members of staff – will be on hand to make sure that the final farewell goes with a swing."

The double decker playbus is run by about two full-time staff and 10 volunteers who take free fun and play to the community.

The playbus is packed with activities catering for up to five-year-olds in term time and primary school pupils during the holidays.

It features a kitchen area, computer access facilities, a quiet area, soft play area, arts and craft area, messy play area, television, toilet and storage space.

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