National Playday

Free activities for hundreds of local children

(Date of issue: Monday, 4 August 2008)

Hundreds of local children and young people are expected to take part in some free fun activities in celebration of National Playday this Wednesday (6 August).

This year’s event is set to be the biggest and best so far, with Carlisle’s city centre pedestrianised area, Bitts Park, Skate Park (Devonshire Walk car park), Tullie House, The Sands Centre, Trinity Pool and Morton Pool all staging events.

Organised by the Carlisle Play Partnership, with support from Carlisle City Council, the all day event has a packed programme that aims to encourage children, young people and families to ‘have a go’ at a range of activities:

• City centre pedestrianised area (outside the Old Town Hall) – between 11am and 4pm – messy play; face painting; baby signing; arts & crafts and a coliseum sports arena.
• Bitts Park – between 11am and 4pm – den building (including making mud pies); sports and games; Army climbing wall; Cumberland Bird of Prey; cycling (Border Wheelers and British Cycling); messy play and fun activities for under fives (Barnados Surestart Carlisle South Children Centre); story telling (Carlisle Library); mobile laser quest (Quasar); countryside activities (including paper aeroplane races released from a cherry picker); East Cumbria Countryside Project’s Rock Detectives; Cumbria Constabulary and Cumbria Fire Service.
• Skate Park – A Skate Jam organised by SPAM (Skate Park Action Meeting) and Carlisle City Council will be staged between 10am and 5.30pm. Music workshops, graffiti workshop, freestyle drop-in sessions and competitions will be held throughout the day. Aimed at children and young people of all ages, the event is opened to all skateboarders, rollerbladers and BMX bikers. Registration is on the day, however parental consent is required for young people aged 16 or under who wish to take part in the competitions. Forms are available by emailing emmanuelb@carlisle.gov.uk or by texting SKATE to 07530 439509, with a name and address.
• Tullie House – 11am – 5pm – Folly Portable Pixel Playground. An amazing new play space to interact with, created by artists working with digital technology.
• The Sands Centre – between 3.30pm and 5.30pm – free entry to Treasure Island, the roller disco and the climbing wall.
• Trinity Pool – between 3.30pm and 5.30pm – free entry.
• Morton Pool – between 6pm and 7.30pm – free entry.

Cllr Olwyn Luckley, Portfolio holder for Health & Communities, said:

"This year’s Playday is set to be our biggest and best. More than 25 organisations and groups have signed up and will be providing free activities for our city’s children and young people. There will be lots of things to do and take part in, to suit all ages and tastes. Come along and join in the fun!"

Aimed at children and young people, the event will be co-ordinated by qualified play, youth and sports workers. Parents as well as children and young people are encouraged to attend the event.

Related Links

• Carlisle Leisure Ltd
• National Playday