Community Fun Day – Wolverton |
 Celebrations were held in Stony Stratford to mark the opening of the new Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) at Wolverton Road Recreation Park.The MUGA idea was initiated in November 2006 by local councillor, Judy Deveson and local youth worker, Terry Isles who were keen to improve the facilities available to young people in the area. Mr. Isles formed a consultation group of 13 to 19-year-olds to assist the planning and decision-making process. The young people carried out consultations in the local area, attending meetings and attempting to raise funds to cover the £75,000 project. Their efforts met with success when they were awarded £35,000 from MK Youthbank, a local organisation run by young people to allocate funds for projects they feel will benefit young people within Milton Keynes. Councillor Judy Deveson gained £30,000 from the Waste Recycling Environmental Limited (WREN) fund, while Stony Stratford Town Council provided the rest of the funding for the project. The celebration event, which took place on 12 April, was strongly supported by the Stony Stratford neighbourhood policing team. PCSO James Down assisted with the event organisation, with the support of Rob Harriman, Safer Community Warden. Local MP, Dr Phyllis Starkey, who officially opened the MUGA, said: “I’m delighted to open this joint initiative, and to see the excellent use of government funding.” Alice Hancock, a young member of MK Youthbank who supported the funding bid presented by Mr. Isles and his team, continued: “It’s great fun to see the play area being used and that our money has been put to good use.” PCSO Down added: “It is important that people appreciate the hard work that the local young people have put in to this successful project. “Very often, young people are stereotyped as being ‘nothing but trouble’ but we need to look beyond this and appreciate the positive effects that they can have within our communities.” |