Yelverton Play Park officially opened two new pieces of play equipment on Saturday 2nd May, marking another important step in the continued development of this much-loved community space.
The event was a chance to celebrate the new wheelchair-friendly roundabout and a new swing, and to thank the many organisations, volunteers, and individuals whose support has helped make the park such a success.
The ribbon on the new roundabout was cut by Imogen Mcfarlane, the great-granddaughter of Brian Medhurst, who founded the park more than 25 years ago. A celebration cake, made in the shape of the roundabout, was cut by Mrs Sue Hicks, wife of W Bro Kevin Hicks, one of the trustees of the Mark Benevolent Fund in Devonshire.
The roundabout is a true testament to Devonshire Freemasons from all orders working together for our community. The Mark Benevolent Fund contributed £22,961 to the project, with further support coming from Pelican Lodge 7878 Integrity Lodge 4098, and Hawton Mark Lodge 100. There was further support from the Provincial WAKE Fund, the William Alexander Kneel Endowment Fund, set up to help fund small community projects in Devon and which continues to make grants multiple times a year to our local groups. In addition, a grant from the Devon Mark Charity Association was also made, ensuring from a national level, county level, and local Lodge level for this vital community project.
The play park is community funded and managed, situated on the edge of Dartmoor near the Leg O’Mutton retail area in Yelverton. It includes a toddler area, swings, climbing frames, and a multi-use play area. The group who run the play area also run a park lottery to help with ongoing maintenance and development of the park.
The new roundabout was finished in yellow and blue colours, to support the people of Ukraine. It was especially fitting that the day was shared with Nightingales UK, a charity which supports people in Ukraine by supplying medical equipment to the front line.
This was a true community project, with donations from many other local organisations and companies, and with volunteers from all walks of life supporting the park with practical help and fundraising.
Devonshire Freemasons were represented by the head of Devonshire Freemasons, Nicholas Ball; By Christopher Elliott, the assistant head of Devonshire Mark Freemasonry; by Garry Kitchen, John Betts, Kevin Hicks and John Pritchard, who together helped represent the many Masonic Lodges and Funds who helped make this project possible.
Yelverton Play Park is not standing still. With the roundabout and swing now open, fundraising is already under way for the next project, to replace the original tower.
