MADAM,

For lots of reasons, options for children are closing down.

Getting to play freely outdoors is difficult, especially when such freedom is curtailed by dangerous roads and unsafe environments. Monmouth is no different to anywhere else in this regard, and the playground on Chippenham Mead is a case in point of how life has moved on since when it was first built.

We decided to revive Friends of Chippenham Mead because we believe that green space is a precious asset. It needs to be maintained and cared for, and made attractive to potential users - and those users include children. We do not consider the current location of the playground to be appropriate for small children in 2016.

Thanks to 106 money which MCC has set aside for playground improvements, there is the possibility of relocating the play area. We believe it is the right time to do so. As a voluntary organisation, we have no power to bring about any changes to Chippenham Mead: it is for our elected representatives to do this. They have a duty (newly enshrined in law) to consider the well-being of future generations in the decisions they make.

We are compiling a proposal to bring to Cabinet this December, making the entirely feasible case for moving the playground to a better location beside Blestium Street where it will be visible, accessible and safe. We are actively engaging with the community who use Chippenham Mead and we want to take account of all views. We have the support of the sports clubs, who agree that they stand to benefit from having more to offer families who bring kids to training.

If you have a question or wish to support our aims, please get in touch. We meet most Mondays at 8pm in the Punch House, but it is best to check first, either by emailing

[email protected] or visiting our Facebook page. You can also join our growing membership.

Rachel Jupp

Catherine Ashby

Richard Tonkin

(Friends of Chippenham Mead)