Hereford city to become a play zone for the day

Hereford's residents, young and not so young, are being encouraged to ditch the games console, put on some trainers, go outside and spend a day playing in the city this half term.

On Tuesday 27th May, the centre of Hereford will be taken over by face painters, den builders, pavement artists and circus performers as the county enjoys a spectacular free event to celebrate the launch of four new play projects and raise the profile of play across the county.

Herefordshire Council has been instrumental in setting up a play partnership which is dedicated to developing play across the county. Play helps children develop physically, mentally and socially. Children who have been able to play are happier, contribute to society more, engage with their environment and are physically fitter - they grow up to become happier, more productive, healthy adults. Yet recent studies show that children today are playing out less, socialising less, playing inside more and their physical, mental and social health could suffer as a result.

Last year the Herefordshire Play Partnership was awarded £338,000 through the Big Lottery Fund to develop and support projects that meet the needs of children and young people. Consultation throughout the county showed that children want adventure, independence and to be allowed out to play with their friends safely.

Since the money was awarded, the partnership has allocated it to four projects: Hereford's skateboard park, a play ranger programme with Herefordshire Nature Trust, rural outreach play programme through the Herefordshire Voluntary Youth Service and Kidzfirst play days for children with special needs.

Following months of planning, these projects are beginning and to celebrate, the play partnership is holding a special day of play for children and their families to enjoy.

The organisations running the play projects will be providing activities on the day: inclusive den-building with KidzFirst, Wildplay from Herefordshire Nature Trust's play rangers, and active outdoor play from the Voluntary Youth Service.

There will be a chance to find out more about what's available from these projects, but there will also be a climbing wall in High Town, drumming workshops and canoeing at Castle Green. The new Museum on the Move will be in High Town with an exhibition about the history of play and the Moby play bus will be around all day with information about play facilities and childcare across the county.

Faces can be transformed with face paints into butterflies, tigers, clowns or imaginative creatures. There will also be the opportunity to contribute to a huge mural depicting what play means to children and adults which will be displayed countywide later in the year.

Herefordshire Libraries will be showing families how to stimulate young imaginations, as well as sharing some of the magical adventures in their lending books. At Castle Green there will be a gym tots session for under five year olds in the morning, canoeing, den-making, wheeled sports and football skills.

The day's activities will take place from 10am-4pm. At the same time, the Green Dragon Hotel will host a half day conference on the benefits of play for invited guests which will be opened by Sharon Menghini, Herefordshire Council's director of children's services. Stuart Douglas, assistant director of Play England will be the key note speaker with contributions from representatives of the four funded projects.

Councillor Jenny Hyde, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "This promises to be a great day out and I hope families will come along and support it. There will be a lot of valuable information about, together with some exciting activities to have a go at.

"This should be seen as the start of promoting and encouraging play across Herefordshire and we are excited about giving children and young people the opportunities they so richly deserve.

"I am grateful to my colleague Councillor Ann Gray, and other representatives on the play partnership who have helped organisations plan their new projects.

"We are responding to the needs of children and young people, who have told us quite clearly what they want. We have listened and worked with partners to design some of these activities which our young people can now begin to enjoy."