New playground opens in north Shropshire village after five-year fundraising effort

A new play park has officially opened in a north Shropshire village following five years of fundraising and hard work by the local community.

Norton in Hales, near Market Drayton, came together on Monday to celebrate the opening of its new playground, marking the end of a five-year project to raise around £100,000 to replace the village’s ageing play facilities.

The new park was officially opened by the Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire, Anna Turner, who joined members of the parish council, local residents and organisers to mark the occasion.

Children from Norton in Hales Primary School were also in attendance and were given the exciting opportunity to be the first to try out the new equipment.

The playground features a range of new facilities designed to provide something for children of different ages, including swings, a see-saw and a variety of climbing structures for both younger and older children.

The new equipment replaces what organisers described as an “old tired playground”, giving families in the village a modern and welcoming space where children can play, socialise and enjoy the outdoors.

The project has been made possible through years of fundraising, planning and support from across the community, with contributions from the parish council, local residents and businesses helping to bring the ambitious plans to life.

One of the organisers, Dave Mason, said the opening was the culmination of five years of dedication and support.

He said: “Our new playground is the result of five years of hard work and support from the parish council, local residents and local businesses.

“We’re incredibly proud to be opening it up today with the Lord Lieutenant, members of the parish council and children from the local school.

“It’s here to be enjoyed for the next twenty or thirty years by all of the local residents and for others around to come and enjoy Norton in Hales as a village.”